Did Naseem Shah use his influence to get brothers picked in Islamabad United?

LAHORE: Pakistan’s star pacer Naseem Shah’s brothers will be playing for Islamabad United in the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — the same team whose colours the fast bowler will don.

Islamabad United drafted pacers Hunain Shah and Ubaid Shah in the PSL season nine draft, completing the trio of Shah brothers in their squad.

Hunain, 20, has been very active in domestic cricket for the past two years while Ubaid has shined at junior-level cricket and has been exceptional in the ongoing U19 Asia Cup.

It has happened for the first time that three brothers will be part of one side in PSL and would be interesting to see whether they play together or not.

Talking to media persons in Lahore, Naseem rejected the notion that he had any influence in getting his brothers picked for the franchise.

“I am not the chief selector; I cannot bring my brothers into the team,” Naseem said, noting that his brothers have made a name for themselves in cricket by “working hard”.

Naseem, who was previously in Quetta Gladiators and was drafted to Islamabad recently, said that the team was “new” for him and hoped that season nine would be good for him.

The young pacer added that it’s hard to stage a comeback after one is injured. “We will have good batters [in PSL] and it will be a challenge to bowl to them,” the lanky fast bowler added.