By our correspondent
LAHORE: Mohammad Naeem, the young top-order batsman of Lahore Qalandars, has voiced his dream of donning the Pakistan national team jersey, calling it a matter of destiny and hard work. In a candid interview with Geo News, the 24-year-old reflected on his journey, challenges, and the unwavering support that has shaped his cricketing rise, especially from within the Lahore Qalandars setup.
Despite a string of underwhelming performances earlier in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Naeem managed to stage a solid comeback, scoring a critical half-century that revitalized both his confidence and reputation. He credits Lahore Qalandars’ consistent belief in his potential as the key to his return to form. “It’s not just about this PSL,” Naeem said. “The franchise has stood by me for six to seven years, right from the Player Development Program, through the Battle of the Qalandars, and even during the Namibia tour. Their faith has never wavered.”
Naeem hails from Parachinar, a region known more for its natural beauty than cricketing infrastructure. He had to move to Lahore to pursue his dream. “We didn’t have any facilities to play cricket in Parachinar. I came to Lahore, attended the Qalandars’ trials, and that’s how my journey began,” he said, recounting the early struggles that marked his path to professional cricket.
Determined to evolve as a multi-format player, Naeem rejected the idea of being boxed into one format. “Being labelled a one-format player is just a mindset. Every cricketer dreams of representing Pakistan in Test cricket. That’s my goal too,” he declared.
Naeem also touched upon the influence of senior players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Fakhar Zaman. Training and sharing dressing rooms with them, he says, has been a formative experience. “I’ve learned a lot from them. Their trust and guidance have helped me grow. While I consider Babar Azam the best batsman in Pakistan, batting alongside Abdullah Shafique was a special moment—his class and composure were inspiring.”
Naeem even sounded confident when it came to dealing with express pace. “After facing Shaheen and Haris in the nets, no other bowler feels as tough. They’re world-class. Facing others feels like club-level practice,” he said with a smile.
As the PSL progresses, Naeem’s ambition is clear. He wants to translate his domestic platform into international success. With resilience in his approach and the strong backing of his team, Mohammad Naeem is a name Pakistan cricket fans might soon hear more frequently—not just in franchise leagues, but on the global stage.
