Shahbaz Nadeem enjoyed a successful outing at the JSCA Stadium this past Monday. His Test debut was highlighted by a cracking delivery for his first wicket and a solid first-innings performance of 2 for 22. He also showed his agility in the field, helping run out George Linde with a sharp toss from square-leg. His teammates showed their support by giving him a hero's welcome as he took his position on the boundary. Overall, it was a very promising start to his Test career.
He shared that after spending so much time as a spectator watching cricket on TV, he had always envisioned the day he would be the player on the screen, showcasing his own abilities to the public.
The journey to the national team was a test of patience for Nadeem. It took over 15 years and 110 First-Class appearances before he finally received the call. The news reached him in Kolkata on a Friday afternoon; while he was in the middle of his Namaaz prayers around 2:30 p.m., his phone wouldn't stop ringing. After completing his prayers, he realized he had been picked for the Test squad. He remarked that when you've played the game for that long, you're ready for any demand, including a 4 a.m. call to start the day's preparations by 6 a.m.
Despite taking over 50 wickets in two back-to-back Ranji Trophy seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17), a national call-up remained elusive. When asked how he stayed motivated during those years of waiting, he chuckled and said the simple hope that a chance might eventually come was what kept him going. Whatever nerves he may have had were invisible on the pitch; he was precise from the start, maintaining an economy of under two runs per over in the first innings. He attributes this composure to his vast experience, noting that 110 matches and his time with Jharkhand and India-A made the transition to the top level feel natural.
On the off chance that Nadeem was apprehensive, it didn’t appear. He was on focus from the earliest starting point, and yielded under two runs an over in the primary innings. At the point when you play 110 matches, you gain that experience, he said. The 15 years I have placed in playing for Jharkhand and as of late India-A helped me make a smooth change.
While the national team was the ultimate goal, Nadeem found great joy in representing Jharkhand. He spoke fondly of the camaraderie he shares with teammates he's known since their youth, mentioning that playing for his state is a different, more personal kind of pleasure. For him, there's a special feeling whenever a Jharkhand match is being played.