I beat him so many times for playing cricket: Naseem Shah's father talks about pacer's childhood

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah became the hero of the country after taking his team through to the finals. Shah hit two sixes against Afghanistan in the final over of a heated encounter.

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah turned into a instant hero for the country after he took his team through to the finals. Pakistan were put under the cosh by spirited Afghanistan in a game where more than one person lost their heads. Shah, coming to bat in the fag end of the innings, hit back to back sixes in the final over to take Pakistan into the finals of the Asia Cup 2022.

Naseem's father spoke to a Pakistan TV channel and gave a glimpse into what Naseem's childhood was. In a heartfelt interview, Abbas said that he regretted not giving Naseem a platform in his childhood.

"I beat Naseem many times for playing cricket, asking him to focus on his studies instead. None of us supported Naseem, only his brother would secretly give him money," he said.

"When his mother was alive, he used to say that one day I will play for Pakistan. We used to laugh saying how will a man from Dir join the Pakistan team," he further added.

Abbas revealed that as a kid, Naseem was close to his mother and wanted her to see him play in the Pakistan shirt.

"He thinks of her and cries a lot. He says if mother was here, she would have been very happy to see me in the Pakistan kit," he said.

Pakistan will be up against Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup on Sunday. The pundits believe that Sri Lanka have an edge after drubbing Pakistan in the dead rubber in Super 4, however, it no one has discounted the pace attack of Pakistan, who have the ability to change the course of the game, on their day.