Naseem Shah is likely to miss the remainder of PSL 2026 due to injury, just days after being fined PKR 20 million, with PCB raising concerns over his fitness and discipline.
Pakistan's Naseem Shah celebrates after dismissing Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday, February 28, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee)
Naseem Shah is facing fresh concerns over his fitness, with the young pacer likely to miss the remainder of the Pakistan Super League 2026 season following a side strain, according to reports.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury during Rawalpindi’s clash against Karachi Kings and subsequently missed the team’s most recent fixture, raising further questions about his long-standing fitness issues.
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As reported by Telecom Asia Sport, his recurring injuries have not gone down well with officials at the Pakistan Cricket Board, with both the board and the medical panel concerned about his consistency and overall conditioning.
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He is expected to undergo an extensive rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the board’s medical staff. Sources cited by Telecom Asia Sport further indicate that Naseem could be required to appear before the PCB’s medical panel in the coming days.
This latest setback adds to a challenging phase for the pacer, who was also ruled out of Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh after sustaining an injury during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Once regarded as one of Pakistan’s brightest prospects, Naseem made a strong early impact, including a hat-trick against Bangladesh in 2020 and impressive performances in the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, injuries have repeatedly disrupted his progress, including his absence from the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Off-field issues have also compounded his troubles. According to the report, his growing involvement in advertisements and media engagements has drawn criticism internally, with concerns that it may be affecting his focus and development.
Adding to his woes, Naseem was recently handed a hefty fine of PKR 20 million, reportedly one of the largest in Pakistan cricket history, after posting comments about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on social media. While the pacer initially claimed his account had been hacked, the explanation was not accepted by the PCB, which issued a show-cause notice before imposing the penalty.
Also Read: Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah in trouble after ‘queen’ remark sparks PCB action
With injuries and disciplinary concerns mounting, Naseem Shah now faces a crucial phase in his career as he looks to regain fitness and re-establish himself in Pakistan’s plans.
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