Pakistan quick Naseem Shah says having a healthy competition among fast bowlers in the national side is a good sign for Pakistan cricket.

Naseem is currently representing Leicestershire Foxes in the ongoing T20 Blast, as he had replaced injured Wiaan Mulder at the club.

Initially, Naseem was signed by the club on a short-term deal as cover for Afghanistan overseas Naveen-ul-Haq, who was featuring for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League at that time.

However, the young Pakistan quick was brought in the fold filling in for injured Wiaan Mulder.

“This short stint with Leicestershire Foxes was amazing. Last year, I played quite a lot of cricket in all formats and also in county. I was not permitted by my physio to play gain for a full season to manage my workload,” Naseem told Geo News in an exclusive interview.

“I got this opportunity to play just few games which was a good experience and a little change of weather too. And I’m happy with my performance."

Naseem said he'll be travelling back to Pakistan soon for the specialised camps at the National Cricket Academy starting this month.

A total of thirteen spinners and 11 fast bowlers will undergo training at the NCA which will be overseen by the national team’s and NCA’s coaches.

“I’m trying to focus on whatever chances of playing cricket I’m going to get including the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka.

"Soon I will be travelling back to Pakistan to take part in the special cricket camp setup by the Pakistan Cricket Board at National Cricket Academy in Lahore so hopefully by the time World Cup takes place we will be fully prepared.”

He also said having a competition among the quicks in the national side is a good sign as it forces everyone to improve themselves.

“It’s good for Pakistan cricket that we have such a tough but healthy competition in the fast-bowling department. Pakistan has abundance of fast-bowling talent hence the more competitors there are, the harder one has to work.

"Although I don’t have competition with any of my colleagues as all I try is to do better and work harder every time. But as far as partnership is concerned, whoever is bowling with me in the team I always try to enjoy and learn from that partnership so I like bowling with all of them,” he added.