Naseem Shah leaves the T20 Blast midway citing personal reasons

Naseem Shah, the 19-year-old Pakistani pacer, has left the ongoing T20 Blast midway due to personal reasons. He has left his team's camp, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. Naseem's reason for leaving the tournament midway is related to his father's current health condition, the club confirmed on Sunday.

The statement released by the Gloucestershire team stated, "Naseem's father has taken ill, and therefore Gloucestershire has allowed him to return home to spend as much time as he needs with his family during what is a difficult time for them." 

"We hope to have Naseem back with the first-team squad as soon as possible, and everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket sends Naseem and his family their best wishes," the statement added.

Naseem Shah has been promising with his pace, and he has displayed the same through his 11 appearances for the Pakistan Test team. By this, he has earned the call from the Gloucestershire County Cricket team for playing in the English tournaments. 

He had made a single appearance in the County Championship squad for Gloucestershire, where he scalped one wicket. But, he got ruled out for a month due to a shoulder injury. 

The bowler made a comeback in the ongoing T20 Blast tournament, where he had scalped five wickets in his three-match campaign. He had registered his tournament's best figure of two wickets off 27 runs against the Sussex Sharks. 

"We thoroughly support Naseem's decision to return home to see his father. Of course, we will miss him on the field, but Naseem's well-being and the health of his loved ones far outweigh any cricketing priorities.

"We have loved having Naseem with us as part of the Gloucestershire family, and we are looking forward to welcoming him back to us as soon as possible. Everyone at Gloucestershire cricket is thinking of Naseem and his family and sending our utmost support," concluded Steve Snell.