T20 Blast 2023

Watch: Naseem Shah unleashes fiery, toe-crushing yorker in first-over T20 Blast scalp of Michael Bracewell

by Wisden Staff May 29, 2023 - 2:55pm 2 minute read

Watch: Naseem Shah picked up a wicket in the first over of Leicestershire Fox’s T20 Blast clash against Worcestershire Rapids. He pinned Michael Bracewell in front of his stumps with a perfect yorker.

Naseem opened the bowling in the match at New Road and was hit for four by Bracewell off his second ball. However, he retaliated straight away, sending down a well-aimed yorker which landed right on Bracewell’s foot.

There was no arguing with the umpire’s decision, as Bracewell’s foot was unquestionably directly in front of his wicket. Naseem barely turned to look behind to see whether the umpire had indeed raised his finger before setting off in celebration. Bracewell had to walk off the field having scored four runs off three deliveries, leaving the Rapids 4-1 in the first over of the match.

The other opener, Brett D’Oliveira, also fell early, caught behind in the following over and making it a tricky start for the home side.

However, Naseem was at the receiving end of an attack from Jack Haynes in his second over. He was hit for four boundaries before Haynes was dismissed by Wiaan Mulder.

Leicestershire had signed up Naseem as cover for as cover for Naveen-ul-Haq, who had stayed in India for Lucknow Super Giant’s unsuccessful IPL final bid and, as a result, missed the start of the Blast.

Naseem had gone wicketless in the Fox’s first two matches of the competition, both of which the side lost, leaving them at the bottom of the North group table.