Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah’s family home in Lower Dir was reportedly targeted, with unidentified intruders firing at the gate before leaving. No members of the household were wounded, and the police have initiated an inquiry.
It is unclear who was at the house at the time of the attack or what the perpetrators’ intentions were. Despite the incident, Naseem appears unaffected and has continued with the Pakistan team for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins on November 11. The attack occurred on November 10.
The Pakistan side is heavily reliant on its three fast bowlers, who constitute the backbone of the attack, with Abrar Ahmed and Mohammed Nawaz serving as the team’s sole spinners. However, Saim Ayub has recently impressed with his bowling, frequently taking the new ball alongside captain Shaheen Afridi.
Haris Rauf, Afridi, and Naseem remain Pakistan’s most sought-after players. Rauf was, however, suspended for two games in the South Africa ODI series after the ICC deemed him guilty and issued him four demerit points.
The upcoming Sri Lanka series will mark their first visit to Pakistan in nearly six years. The ODIs will be played from November 11 to 15, followed by a T20I tri-series featuring Zimbabwe as the third team after Afghanistan withdrew.
Naseem Shah has been selected for both the ODI series and the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
This will be Pakistan’s second home series of the season, with attention gradually shifting toward the T20 format ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Pakistan recently defeated the last T20 World Cup finalists, South Africa, in both the T20I and ODI series, winning each by a 2-1 margin. After the home series, Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka, which will host all of Pakistan’s matches for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
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