Naseem Shah under fire after Pakistan's loss to South Africa

South Africa secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test of the series at SuperSport Park, chasing down a modest target of 148 runs on the fourth day. Despite coming close to a good defense, Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly Naseem Shah, came under scrutiny for his performance.  

Pakistan managed scores of 211 and 237 in their two innings, while South Africa replied with 301 and 150/8 to seal the win. On a pitch that offered significant assistance to the bowlers, Naseem Shah’s figures of 3 for 92 in 22 overs raised questions about his effectiveness in pivotal moments.  

One social media user criticized Naseem, stating, "It's been five years since his debut, and no one can point to a single match-winning spell of his. Extremely overrated and always gets away from criticism." The user further compared Naseem’s career to Musa Khan's and called his performances inconsistent despite being hyped as a top-tier bowler.  

While Naseem’s talent is undeniable, his inability to produce decisive spells in high-pressure situations remains a talking point. His career average of 35 across two formats has fueled debates about his role in Pakistan's bowling unit.  

Despite Naseem’s mixed performance, Pakistan’s bowlers put South Africa under significant pressure, reducing them to 150/8 in their chase. However, the home side’s lower-order batters held their nerve to seal the win.  

The loss leaves Pakistan with much to ponder ahead of the second Test in Johannesburg, where they will look to bounce back and level the series. For Naseem Shah, it presents another opportunity to answer his critics and deliver a match-winning performance.