Ubaid Shah eager to learn from star-studded Lahore Qalandars attack

LAHORE: Emerging fast bowler Ubaid Shah has expressed his excitement at joining the Lahore Qalandars, stating that bowling alongside pace icons Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mustafizur Rahman is a monumental opportunity for his development.

The right-arm pacer, who is the younger brother of fellow fast bowler Naseem Shah, shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Geo News at the LCCA Ground.

After stints with Islamabad United and Multan Sultans, Ubaid revealed that he is relishing his new environment with the Qalandars.

“I have received a chance with Lahore Qalandars now,” Ubaid said. “I am getting a lot of support in this new team. Everyone, including Sameen Rana and Shaheen Afridi, is very supportive, and I am thoroughly enjoying it.”

The 20-year-old emphasised the quality of the Qalandars’ bowling unit, which he believes is the best in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He highlighted the invaluable experience of learning from seasoned campaigners.

“With Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, we have the best bowling attack in the PSL. I am getting a great chance to learn a lot from the senior and experienced fast bowlers,” he stated. 

“Bowling alongside them is a huge deal for me. Captain Shaheen Afridi trusts me, and I have the honour of starting the bowling attack with him. If I learn from here, I will progress,” he added.

The young fast bowler explained that his focus remains on contributing to the team’s success rather than modelling his game on a single player. 

“Whenever I play any tournament, my aim is to perform well for my team and to be the best bowler. I don’t have one specific bowler in my mind that I want to emulate. I observe anyone who is performing well and try to learn from their bowling.”

Ubaid also touched upon the mental aspects of T20 cricket, describing it as a game of mindset.

“T20 cricket is all about mindset. The quicker you can engage your brain, the more successful you will be. You need to understand what the batter is trying to do and bowl accordingly.”

He added that modern batters possess a wide array of shots, making it essential for bowlers to outthink them. 

“Batters have every kind of shot in their arsenal. As a bowler, you have to play with their mind. I have worked hard on bringing variety to my bowling, and I am now reaping the benefits of that effort,” he concluded.