Shadab Khan Archives

Pakistan cricketer questions Shadab Khan’s selection for New Zealand tour

Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has criticized Shadab Khan for his underwhelming performance in the first T20I against New Zealand, questioning the merit behind his selection in the squad.

Shadab, who made his comeback in the series as the vice-captain, had a forgettable outing in the series opener, scoring just 3 runs and failing to pick up a wicket in his two-over spell.

Speaking on a private TV channel, Ahmed Shehzad didn’t hold back in his assessment, demanding clarity on what warranted Shadab’s place in the squad.

“You’re talking about Shadab [Khan], but tell me, what performance has he put up? Who brought him onto the team? Let this series pass; the PCB has a different plan, and Shadab has been included in the team for a specific purpose,” Shehzad remarked.

Pakistan’s young squad suffered a humiliating nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the series opener at Hagley Oval on Sunday.

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After being put in to bat first, Pakistan endured a nightmare start as openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz were dismissed for ducks. The collapse continued with Irfan Khan managing just a single run before his departure, leaving Pakistan reeling at 1/3 in 2.2 overs.

Khushdil Shah (32 off 34) and captain Salman Ali Agha (18 off 22) were the only batters to show some resistance, but their efforts were far from enough. Pakistan were bowled out for just 91 runs in 18.4 overs, marking their fifth-lowest total in T20Is.

New Zealand made light work of the chase, hunting down the target in just 12.1 overs, with 59 balls to spare—making this Pakistan’s worst defeat in terms of balls remaining in T20I history.

Their previous worst was against Australia in 2018, where they suffered a nine-wicket loss with 55 balls to spare.

READ: Imad Wasim questions Babar Azam’s promotion to ODI opening slot

New T20I captain named as Pakistan announce white-ball squads for New Zealand tour

LAHORE: Salman Ali Agha has been named the T20I captain as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced two separate white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, returning all-rounder Shadab Khan will serve as vice-captain for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand from 16-26 March.

“The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20I captain and vice-captain, respectively, has been made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments – the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (February/March 2026),” the PCB stated in a press release.

“As part of preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan is set to play a minimum of five T20Is in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 and three T20Is each against West Indies (away, July), Afghanistan (home, August), Ireland (home, September), South Africa (home, September/October), Sri Lanka (home, November) and Australia (home, January 2026).”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan will continue as ODI captain, with Salman serving as his deputy for the three 50-over matches scheduled at the backend of the tour from 29 March to 5 April.

In the T20I squad, there are three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali – while Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali are the two players who have yet to debut in ODIs.

The four players have been rewarded for their impressive performances in the Champions One-Day and T20 Cups.

In the Champions T20 Cup, Abdul Samad scored 115 runs at a strike-rate of 166.67 after aggregating 145 runs at a strike-rate of 122.88 in the Champions One-Day Cup.

Likewise, Hasan Nawaz had a staller Champions T20 Cup, finishing as the second leading run-getter with 312 runs at a strike-rate of 142.47.

Mohammad Ali, with 22 wickets, was the leading wicket-taker in the Champions T20 Cup, while he took three wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup.

Akif Javed has been selected in the ODI side after his seven wickets in five Champions One-Day Cup matches, while he took 15 wickets in the Champions T20 Cup.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for either format on medical advice.

Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture sustained on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January.

The series between Pakistan and New Zealand will run from 16 March 16 to 5 April, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series will kick off in Christchurch on 16 March, while the second match is scheduled to be played in Dunedin on 18 March.

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The third match will be played in Auckland on 21 March, while the subsequent games are scheduled in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on 23 and 26 March, respectively.

Following the T20I series, the teams will travel to Napier for the first ODI, scheduled for 29 March. The second ODI will be played on 2 April in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the final ODI on 5 April.

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour

ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.

T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan (wk)

READ: PCB announces free Iftar for fans at Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore

Shadab Khan named Pakistan’s T20I vice captain – but is he the right candidate?

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been named vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

This would mark his return to the national side after being dropped following Pakistan’s disastrous ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

However, his appointment raises a crucial question: Has Shadab Khan done enough to warrant a return to the team, that too as a vice-captain?

If he was truly the best candidate, why was he sidelined for the Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa tours? A closer look at his performances over the last two years paints a concerning picture.

Shadab’s T20I Numbers Tell a Different Story

Shadab Khan has been a mainstay of Pakistan’s white-balls teams since his debut in 2017, however, his T20I performances over the last two years paint a concerning picture of his form.

As a batter, his numbers have been far from convincing. In 2023, he managed 93 runs in eight matches at an average of 18.60 with a strike rate of 113.41.

However, things worsened in 2024, where he featured in 12 matches and managed just 110 runs at a poor average of 13.75, despite an improved strike rate of 150.68.

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His bowling stats are even more alarming. In 2023, he took six wickets in eight matches at an average of 32.66 and an economy of 7.53.

However, his form completely dipped in 2024, where he played 12 matches and picked up just three wickets, averaging a staggering 73.66 with an economy of 9.60.

With both bat and ball, Shadab Khan has struggled to make an impact for Pakistan. His inconsistency ultimately led to his exclusion from the national side after the T20 World Cup.

Domestic Form: Not a Strong Case for a Comeback

If an out-of-form player is making a return, it is usually based on strong domestic performances. But has Shadab Khan done enough at the domestic level to justify his recall?

In the Champions T20 Cup, he played six matches and managed just 24 runs at an average of 6, with a strike rate of 70.58—numbers that hardly make a case for selection as a specialist batter.

As for his primary skill—leg-spin—he barely bowled in the tournament. Some reports suggest he was carrying an injury, which explains his limited bowling. However, if he wasn’t fit to bowl, did he at least prove his worth as a batter? Clearly not.

Well, there is no denying Shadab’s talent. At his best, he is a genuine all-rounder who can deliver four quality overs, pick up crucial wickets, contribute with the bat, and field exceptionally well.

But talent alone isn’t enough after eight years of international cricket. At this stage, selection should be based on form, not reputation.

READ: PCB announces free Iftar for fans at Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore

Shadab Khan opens up on recent struggles in international cricket

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan commented on his recent struggles with both bat and ball in international cricket but termed it “the beauty of cricket”.

Shadab, who is representing Colombo Strikers in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 has been in a phenomenal touch as the leg-spinner is the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing season with 16 scalps in seven matches.

He has taken three four-wicket hauls in the tournament, with the latest coming in the Strikers’ victory over Jaffna Kings.

However, the same was not the case for Shadab Khan in the international circuit as the 25-year-old all-rounder played 12 T20I matches this year, but bowled in only eight matches, taking a mere three wickets at an average of 73.66.

With the bat, he has scored 110 runs in nine outings at an average of 13.75. The only positive is his strike rate, which is slightly over 150.

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The all-rounder acknowledged that his recent performances for Pakistan were not up to the mark but reiterated that sometimes a player goes through a rough patch.

“I was struggling for three months. I hadn’t taken a wicket in the last seven international games. I came here, started bowling and am now always taking wickets. That is the beauty of cricket,” stated Shadab.

“You have to enjoy these types of scenarios as well… sometimes you perform, sometimes you don’t. But the process that you follow has to be consistent,” he added.

Shadab Khan then went on to recall his first outing in the LPL 2024, highlighting the pitch’s helpfulness for the spinners before emphasizing the need for variations to flourish in the shortest format.

“The pitch was helping us as it was a bit slow and gripping a bit… But T20 cricket is very hard nowadays, as 200 is easily changeable. As a spinner, you have to have your variations because on flat tracks, if you don’t have variations, you can go for runs,” Shadab stated.

“But if you have variation, you can take wickets as well as contain runs. So that is very important, and it is also important that you land it in a good area,” he added.

READ: Shadab Khan aims to carry LPL 2024 form into international cricket

Shadab Khan aims to carry LPL 2024 form into international cricket

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has expressed confidence that he will carry his brilliant Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 form into international cricket.

The leg-spinner, who is playing for Colombo Strikers, is currently the leading wicket-taker in the LPL 2024 with 14 wickets in six matches.

He has taken three four-wicket hauls in the tournament, with the latest coming in today’s victory against Jaffna Kings.

While speaking after the match, Shadab Khan acknowledged his recent struggles in international cricket but vowed to carry his good form into international cricket for Pakistan.

“I struggled in the last three months, but that’s the beauty of cricket, suddenly you start performing and hopefully that continues with Pakistan as well,” he stated.

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For the unversed, the 25-year-old all-rounder has been under fire for his below-par performances in international cricket.

He has played 12 T20I matches this year, but bowled in only eight matches, taking a mere three wickets at an average of 73.66.

With the bat, he has scored 110 runs in nine outings at an average of 13.75. The only positive is his strike rate, which is slightly over 150.

Khan was part of the Babar Azam-led Pakistan team during their disastrous T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, where he remained wicketless and managed 44 runs in four games.

The Green Shirts were knocked out from the group stage of the T20 World Cup, majorly because of their upset defeat against the USA, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

READ: Shadab Khan powers Colombo Strikers to thump Jaffna Kings

Shadab Khan lights up LPL 2024 with a hat-trick

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan made his Lanka Premier League (LPL) debut memorable by claiming a hat-trick in the third fixture of the ongoing fifth edition.

Shadab, who is representing Colombo Strikers in LPL 2024, decimated Kandy Falcons with ruthless bowling.

The all-rounder returned magnificent bowling figures of 4/22 including a hat-trick.

He achieved the feat in the 15th over of the Falcons’ innings and turned the game on its head as the home side slipped from 140/5 to 147 all out.

Shadab Khan dismissed Falcons’ captain and set-batter Wanindu Hasaranga on the fourth delivery of his last over.

Hasaranga looked to go for a big shot against Shadab but mistimed it towards the long-on fielder Muhammad Waseem, who took a great running catch diving forward.

He then dismissed compatriot Agha Salman on the next delivery with a perfectly executed leg-break that breached the batter’s defence and hit the timber.

Coming out to face the hat-trick ball was Pavan Rathnayake, who cautiously tried to work the ball towards the onside but failed to judge the googly and was trapped in front.

Following the game, Khan took to Instagram where he posted his batting and bowling figures.

“God is great,” he wrote in the caption.

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Following Shadab Khan’s hat-trick, Dunith Wellalage, who was equally exceptional, took two wickets in the next over to take the Strikers home.

Both Shadab and Wellalage bagged four wickets each while Glenn Phillips and Binura Fernando chipped in with a wicket apiece as Colombo Strikers booked Kandy Falcons on 147 to kick off their LPL 2024 with a victory.

Put into bat first, the Strikers registered a massive total of 198/7 on the board, courtesy of a combined effort from their batters.

Leading the way was wicketkeeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrama, who played a blazing knock of 48, coming off on 26 balls with the help of seven fours and a six.

Thisara Perera (38 off 30) and Shadab Khan (20 off 17) played anchoring knocks before Chamika Karunaratne bolstered the total with late fireworks.

READ: “ICC’s duty to ensure India’s participation in Champions Trophy”

Shadab wreaks havoc as Strikers crush Falcons in LPL

PALLEKELE: Shadab Khan decimated Kandy Falcons with a hat-trick and led Colombo Strikers to a thumping 51-run victory in the third match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 here on Tuesday.

The Falcons were on course to chase down the 199-run target as they were 140/5 in 14 overs with skipper Wanindu Hasaranga at the crease.

But Shadab Khan turned the game on its head with a hat-trick as the Falcons were reduced to 146/8 at the end of the 15th over.

Dunith Wellalage, who was equally exceptional, took two wickets in the next over to take the Strikers home.

In-form batter Dinesh Chandimal once again top-scored for the Falcons as he scored 38 off 26 deliveries.

Besides him, skipper Hasaranga (25), Angelo Mathews (25) and Andre Fletcher (24) made notable contributions while the rest of the Falcons’ batters failed to make it into the double figures.

Put into bat first, the Strikers registered a massive total of 198/7 on the board, courtesy of a combined effort from their batters.

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Leading the way was wicketkeeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrama, who played a blazing knock of 48, coming off on 26 balls with the help of seven fours and a six.

Samarawickrama was supported in the act by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) international Muhammad Waseem as together they raised a quickfire 78-run partnership for the third wicket.

Waseem scored an 18-ball 32, peppered with two fours and two sixes.

Thisara Perera (38 off 30) and Shadab Khan (20 off 17) played anchoring knocks before Chamika Karunaratne bolstered the total with late fireworks.

Karunaratne smashed two fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 25 off 10.

For the Falcons, Hasaranga and Kasun Rajitha picked two wickets each while Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Agha Salman made one scalp apiece.

The resounding 51-run victory took Colombo Strikers to the top of the LPL 2024 standings with two points while Kandy Falcons remained third with as many points.

READ: “ICC’s duty to ensure India’s participation in Champions Trophy”

Azhar Mahmood reveals reason behind backing Shadab Khan in T20 World Cup

Pakistan men’s cricket team’s assistant head coach Azhar Mahmood revealed the reason behind backing Shadab Khan despite his struggles during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Speaking to media in Houston, the former all-rounder said that Khan was kept in Pakistan playing XI for all the matches due to the failure of the batting order.

According to Azhar Mahmood, Shadab Khan was a complete player and could not be dropped from the team during the T20 World Cup 2024.

Mahmood was accompanied by senior manager and member selection committee Wahab Riaz who mentioned that the all-rounder was selected in the team based on experience.

Riaz revealed that he had told Usama Mir that there was no place for him in the team for the T20 World Cup 2024.

For the unversed, former champions Pakistan had a disastrous T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as they were, in a first, knocked out of the tournament from the group stage.

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The Green Shirts had a disapponting start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign as they suffered a shock loss against the USA in the Super Over.

Pakistan then succumbed to a frustrating six-run defeat against arch-rivals India at a jam-packed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on June 9.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament.

The former champions then finally got on the winning track when they registered a hard-fought seven-wicket victory over Canada.

Pakistan then edged past Ireland in another stiff challenge to bow out of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a win.

The 2009 champions finished third in Group A standings with four points in four matches.

READ: Hat-trick may not spare Pat Cummins from T20 World Cup 2024 chop

Nine Pakistan cricketers roped in for LPL 2024

COLOMBO: A total of nine Pakistan players were roped in for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 after the player auction took place here on Tuesday.

The fifth edition of the LPL will run from July 1 to 21 and will feature five teams competing for the silverware.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), more than 500 players from 24 cricket-playing nations, including full International Cricket Council (ICC) member nations, registered for the player auction in a bid to get picked into one of the five teams for the LPL 2024.

Notably, before the auction took place, some of Pakistan’s notable cricketers had already found new homes in the LPL 2024. Leading the charge is the formidable Pakistan all-rounder, Shadab Khan, who will be representing Colombo Strikers.

Besides him, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris was picked by defending champions B-Love Kandy for the five-team tournament.

In the auction, however, right-arm pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr was signed by Colombo Strikers for $20,000 while Dambulla Thunders signed Iftikhar Ahmed and Haider Ali for $50,000 and $25,000 respectively.

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Defending champions B-Love Kandy backed their overseas Pakistan signings by roping in Azam Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Ali and Salman Ali Agha.

Pakistan Players to participate in LPL 2024

B-Love Kandy: Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Azam Khan, Mohammad Ali, Salman Ali Agha.

Colombo Strikers: Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

Dambulla Thunders: Iftikhar Ahmed and Haider Ali

For the unversed, the LPL 2024 will be held across three venues Colombo, Dambulla, and Kandy.

The fifth edition of Sri Lanka’s marquee league will continue to feature five teams B-Love Kandy, Dambulla Thunders, Jaffna Kings, Colombo Strikers and Galle Marvels.

All the five participating teams will play each other twice in the league stage, consisting of 20 matches.

The top four teams after the league stage will then advance to the playoffs.

The first three editions of the LPL were won by the team bearing the name Jaffna (Stallions in the inaugural season and Kings in the next two editions), all captained by Thisara Perera.

The fourth edition of the LPL saw Wanindu Hasaranga-led B-Love Kandy winning their maiden title by defeating Dambulla Aura in the final.

READ: T20 World Cup 2022 finalists lock horns in build up to 2024 edition

Shadab Khan emphasizes strike rate importance after New Zealand loss

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up about the importance of strike rate in modern-day cricket following the national team’s loss against New Zealand in the third T20I.

Pakistan suffered a seven-wicket against New Zealand in the third T20I here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

While talking to the media in Lahore ahead of the fourth T20I, Shadab stated that Pakistan batters should improve their strike rate in order to tackle stronger teams in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“Strike rate is very important and we are trying [to improve it]. We have to play with a good strike rate against big teams,” said Shadab Khan.

“I believe that the team that scores more boundaries in a match has a better chance to win.”

Meanwhile, he also appreciated New Zealand for playing good cricket in their victory against Pakistan.

“There are no surprises in international cricket, nor there is any B or C team, we can say that a team has less experience, but that’s it,” the all-rounder said.

“New Zealand played excellent cricket in the third T20I. We cannot put the blame on anyone, we didn’t play well as a team.”

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Notably, Shadab Khan took Pakistan to their eventual total of 178 in the third T20I after he came in to bat at sixth position. He put together a sensational partnership with Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi, bolstering the team’s total.

The duo added 62 off 34 deliveries before Shadab perished in the penultimate over. He remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a quickfire 41 off 20 deliveries which featured four boundaries and two sixes.

However, New Zealand batter Mark Chapman played a swashbuckling unbeaten knock of 87 off 42 deliveries to hand Pakistan a seven-wicket defeat.

Moreover, Shadab Khan expressed optimism about Pakistan’s chances in the T20 World Cup despite the recent loss, however, he stressed the importance of finding the right combination.

“I believe we have the team that can win the T20 World Cup and we should make the combination that could play with continuity. There are nine more matches [before the World Cup], we should find the right combination in those games,” he stated.

With the five-match series squared off at 1-1, Pakistan and New Zealand will square off in the fourth T20I in Lahore on April 25, followed by the fifth match on 27 April at the same venue.

READ: Former Indian batter named as Uganda’s head coach ahead of T20 World Cup