Tag: Shadab Khan

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

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan revealed his preferred batting position in T20s, stressing that the shorter format demands not only skill but rapid adaptability.

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

It was Shadab who took Pakistan to their eventual total of 178 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.

Speaking on his batting position, Shadab Khan said: “I have played one-down and two-down in the PSL [Pakistan Super League] and that’s where I think I am most comfortable”.

However, the right-handed all-rounder said that he was also fine with being used as a ‘floater’. “If I get a chance, the planning will be the same – I’m the sort of player who will look to make quick runs,” he added.

Furthermore, Khan said that playing an impactful innings is a more challenging task as compared with making runs on a consistent basis.

“Sometimes, you need impactful innings, especially in T20 cricket nowadays. Making runs consistently in T20 cricket isn’t difficult, but playing impactful innings is difficult,” he added.

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Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam defended the team’s batting approach, saying that the Green Shirts were 10 runs short of a defendable total.

“I don’t think it [slow run-rate during the middle overs] made much of a difference because we had caught up. You can say we were 10 runs short,” said Azam.

“Unfortunately, we had a bit of a setback with Rizwan [injury] because it wasn’t easy for new batsmen but I think Shadab recovered well and had an outstanding partnership with Irfan. In Pindi, 180-190 is a par score. In batting, we did well.”

With the five-match series squared off at 1-1, both teams will now travel to Lahore where the last two T20Is will be played on April 25 and 27 respectively.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haseebullah (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad:

Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Zak Foulkes, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi.

READ: Shaheen Afridi calls Mohammad Rizwan “Bradman of T20 cricket”

Pakistan’s all-rounder Shadab Khan praised Umar Gul as the former pacer and coach apologised for accusing him of hiding behind injury during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

For the unversed, Shadab was substituted due to concussion during Pakistan’s must-win World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa as he sustained a blow to the head while fielding.

Reacting to the substitution, Gul accused that the all-rounder made the concussion rule an excuse to save himself.

“We don’t know what kind of injury he has sustained, but questions arise when you fall, claim to have a concussion, escape from the team, and go outside. The physio checks you, and then after a while, you come out.

“There, you chat with people and then leave. When the match gets tight, and you realize it is going in our favour, you sit outside in the dugout, cheering.

“It means you’ve made an excuse; you’ve saved yourself. So, people will definitely question it,” Gul had said.

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However, in a recent interview with a local cricket website, Umar Gul revealed that he apologized to Shadab Khan after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine.

“After the PSL, I approached him [Shadab] immediately because the real story was that he had suffered from concussion twice in a year, and the third time it occurred during the World Cup. The doctor advised rest to prevent any serious consequences,” Gul said.

“When I found out about it and when I met him for the first time in the training camp, I went straight to him and apologised. I said, ‘Shadab, it was never my intention to hurt you, and obviously being a Pakistani, I felt at that time that the team needed you.’ So, for the team’s requirement, I said this, otherwise Shadab is a great guy and we have good relations, our families have good relations too, but obviously I felt by the statement I had given, and I apologised to Shadab for it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shadab Khan spoke highly of Umar Gul for accepting his mistake and wished the latter well for his future.

“It takes a brave man to accept his mistake. Respect you Gulli bhai. Always stay happy,” Shadab wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

READ: Junaid Khan disappointed over New Zealand top players missing Pakistan tour

Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up about his competition with returning all-rounder Imad Wasim in the national team.

Imad Wasim came out of international retirement last week and declared his availability for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to run from June 2 in the USA and the West Indies.

However, Shadab Khan remained unfazed by Wasim’s comeback and stated that he does not consider the fellow all-rounder a competition.

“I never thought that he [Imad] is my competition, so he will take my place. Whatever Allah has written for him or for me, will happen,” said Shadab while talking to a local news channel.

“Whoever is in form, playing well, and beneficial for Pakistan should be in the team. Such thoughts never crossed my mind.”

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Upon being asked about leading the Pakistan team if the opportunity arose, the star all-rounder shared that he is not considering the prospect of becoming captain at the moment.

“I haven’t thought about becoming the captain of the national team yet. I’ve talked before that we try to change things too quickly by bringing one person over another, thinking that things will be alright,” he added.

He also backed the current T20I captain Shaheen Afridi, stressing that replacing a captain after one series would not benefit the team.

“Changing the captain today and bringing another one tomorrow, things won’t be better that way. We have given Shaheen one series only and we have started talking about replacing him,” he concluded.

READ: Schedule revealed for Pakistan’s white-ball tour of Australia

Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan has showered praise on team-mate Imad Wasim and expressed hope that the seasoned all-rounder will consider taking back retirement from international cricket.

Imad Wasim led Islamabad United to back-to-back victories in the playoffs of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 and propelled to the final against Multan Sultans.

The left-handed all-rounder scored an unbeaten 59 off 40 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries to guide Islamabad United to a fighting five-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the Eliminator 2 of PSL 9 yesterday.

Shadab Khan stressed the value Wasim can bring to the national team if he considers reversing his retirement ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

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“In fact, when Imad made the decision, I had also told him that I didn’t want him to leave. Because Pakistan needs players like him,” said Khan during the post-match press conference.

“God willing, if there is a discussion with him, hopefully, he will come back because the World Cup is approaching and the way he is performing and his experience in CPL, Pakistan definitely needs him,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wasim, who stunned the cricket fans in November last year with a shocking retirement from international cricket, has kept the door open for his comeback to international cricket.

“I made a name for myself while playing for Pakistan and if my country needs me, I will be available. If not, I have no issues with that,” Wasim told local media last week.

READ: Shahid Afridi wants Mohammad Amir to take back international retirement

Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan blamed the technology for his side’s thrilling loss against Quetta Gladiators during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

Rilee Rossouw, the captain of Quetta Gladiators, scored a gutsy 34 after a combined bowling effort to guide his side to a narrow three-wicket victory after he got a second life courtesy of a controversial DRS decision.

Set to chase 139 runs, Gladiators were cruising comfortably towards the target when Rossouw attempted to sweep Agha Salman on the last ball of the 11th over.

However, he missed the ball completely as it thudded his pads, prompting a strong appeal from the fielding side and it was given out by umpire Aleem Dar.

Gladiators reviewed the decision and got the decision reversed as the Hawk-Eye showed that the ball had struck Rossouw outside the line of the stumps and would have missed the off stump.

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Rossouw went on to carry his bat all the way through with an unbeaten 34 off 38 to guide his team to their third consecutive victory in the PSL 9.

Shadab Khan expressed his frustration over the decision after the match and blamed it for their loss.

“I think technology was at fault for this loss. We were shown a different ball as to the review (the review of Rossouw),” Khan said.

“I bowled 4 overs as a leg spinner, it wasn’t turning much. This one showed impact outside off and spinning away further. In a big tournament like this, there shouldn’t be such mistakes,” he added.

Notably, Islamabad United kicked off their PSL 9 campaign with a win against Lahore Qalandars in the opening match but lost their next two games and are placed in third position in the points table.

READ: England’s Rehan Ahmed leaves India tour for ‘personal reasons’

Former captain Wasim Akram has raised questions over Shadab Khan’s decision to bat at number seven during Islamabad United’s match against Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

Akram, while speaking during The Pavillion, expressed disappointment over Islamabad United’s captain coming to bat in the lower order despite showing good form in the last match.

Shadab Khan came in to bat at number three during the opening PSL 9 game against Lahore Qalandars and led his team to victory with a blistering half-century.

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However, in yesterday’s match, he came in to bat at number seven and scored a meagre 11 runs from nine balls before his team bundled out at 144.

“When you have a captain who is in form and scored 74 in 41 balls in the previous match, why didn’t he come in to bat at three or four?” Akram questioned.

“He [Shadab] said in the post-match press conference that the wicket was a bit difficult which is why I wanted to send in a proper batter.

"Don't they assess the pitch condition?" #WasimAkram questions #IslamabadUnited's batting strategy.#ASportsHD #ThePavilion #HBLPSL9 #WasimAkram #MohammadHafeez #MisbahUlHaq #AzharAli #FakhareAlam #MSvIU pic.twitter.com/4WacknvnW4

— ASports (@asportstvpk) February 20, 2024

“I hope that was a language barrier because if that’s the case it means that he will come out to bat early when the pitch is easy but send anyone else if that’s not the case.”

For the unversed, Multan Sultans defeated Islamabad United by five wickets courtesy of Reeza Hendricks’s second consecutive half-century.

READ: Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul out of fourth England Test

Star Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan on Wednesday, became an honorary Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Punjab Police.

Punjab Police stated that the cricketer was awarded the coveted rank of Honorary District Superintendent of Police (DSP) by the provincial Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar and Additional IG Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry.

Shadab Khan will serve as the brand ambassador of the force. The star cricketer was informed about his job responsibilities following his appointment.

پاکستانی کرکٹ ٹیم کے سٹار آل راؤنڈر شاداب خان پنجاب پولیس کا حصہ بن گئے، آئی جی پنجاب ڈاکٹر عثمان انور اور ایڈیشنل آئی جی پنجاب سلطان احمد چوہدری نے شاداب خان کو اعزازی ڈی ایس پی کے رینک لگائے۔ پنجاب پولیس نے نامور کرکٹر شاداب خان کو اپنا برینڈ ایمبیسیڈر مقرر کر دیا۔ شاداب خان کو… pic.twitter.com/IV6ggHBvu0

— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) December 20, 2023

 

Shadab Khan said he was proud to serve in the Punjab Police. He urged youth to join government sectors and play their role in the development of the country.

” I am honoured to be allowed to serve in a different way,” he said. “We talk about change, let’s be the change we want to see. I encourage our next generation to join the government sector to serve the country if possible. Pakistan Zindabad.”

IG Punjab & the department made me an honorary DSP. I am honoured to be allowed to serve in a different way. We talk about change, let’s be the change we want to see. I encourage our next generation to join the Govt. sector to serve the country if possible. #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/vRFWP7d8fg

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) December 20, 2023

It is pertinent to mention that Shadab Khan is not the only current Pakistan cricketer to join a police force. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are also serving in the Punjab Police and Balochistan Police respectively.

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Shadab Khan has been sidelined from the team as he is nursing an injury. He will not be part of the side that travels to New Zealand for a five-match T20I side.

Shadab Khan opened up on his exclusion from the Pakistan team on the social media application X (formerly Twitter). He wished the best of luck to the selected players for the bilateral series.

He added that he was recovering from his injury and would return to playing domestic cricket at short notice. He lamented about people liking players who are not selected and disliking those who are fulfilling national responsibility by playing for the country.

He said Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi and his team should be backed now.

READ: Three uncapped players named in Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is

All-rounder Shadab Khan on Tuesday, reacted after being left out from the Pakistan squad for the upcoming five-match away T20I series against New Zealand.

Wahab Riaz, the head of the national men’s selection committee, accompanied by selection consultant Kamran Akmal announced a 17-member Pakistan squad for the T20I series during a press conference.

Leg spinner Shadab Khan was not named in the squad due to an ankle injury, which he suffered during the National T20 Cup.

During the squad unveiling, Pakistan Chief Selector Wahab Riaz confirmed that Shadab Khan was rested from the series as he is recovering from a foot injury.

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Hours after the squad unveiling, Shadab Khan took to his X, formerly Twitter, and opened up on his exclusion from the Pakistan squad.

“Best of luck to everyone selected,” wrote Shadab. “I am currently recovering well from my injury & will start playing 4-day cricket soon.

“We have a culture of disliking those who are selected in favour of those who aren’t. Let’s be positive, support Shaheen and all the players.”

Best of luck to everyone selected.
I am currently recovering well from my injury & will start playing 4-day cricket soon. We have a culture of disliking those who are selected in favour of those who aren’t. Let’s be positive, support Shaheen and all the players. #BackTheTeam pic.twitter.com/whlYybjzKT

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) December 19, 2023

For the unversed, social media was flooded with reports of Shadab Khan likely to be dropped from the squad due to his below-par performances recently. However, chief selector Wahab Riaz’s clarification put an end to the rumours.

Pakistan’s squad for the New Zealand series feature a mix of established players, some new faces and a couple of returns.

Three emerging cricketers Abrar Ahmed, wicketkeeper batter Haseebullah Khan and pace bowler Abbas Afridi earned their maiden call-up to the T20I squad of Pakistan while Sahibzada Farhan and Azam Khan returned to the squad.

Farhan has previously represented Pakistan in three T20Is back in 2018.

Explosive wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan was also recalled into the T20I side, after missing out in the last T20I series against New Zealand.

Pakistan’s squad will partake in a training camp from 28 December 2023 to 03 January 2024 in Lahore to prepare for the tour.

In addition to the selected played in the squad, some additional players have also been invited to feature in the training camp, including, Ahmed Shehzad, Omair Bin Yousuf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Amir Khan, Sajjad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Aarif Yaqoob, Shahab Khan and Mohammad Imran Jnr.

Pakistan squad for the tour of New Zealand

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Zaman Khan, Aamir Jamal, Azam Khan (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah Khan (wk) and Abbas Afridi.

Schedule of the Series

First match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 12 January, Auckland

Second match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 14 January, Hamilton

Third match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 17 January, Dunedin

Fourth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 19 January, Christchurch

Fifth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 21 January, Christchurch.

READ: Wahab Riaz opens up on Nawaz’s selection for New Zealand series

HYDERABAD: All-rounder Shadab Khan has expressed hope to regain his form and perform with a ‘new mindset’ in the ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to be played from October 5 to November 19.

Shadab Khan, during a press conference before Pakistan’s practice session in Hyderabad, expressed his wish to give his best for Pakistan in the World Cup 2023 and put Asia Cup 2023 memories in the past.

“I admit I haven’t been in good form lately, and it drained me mentally as I was playing continuously but could not perform at my best,” said Shadab Khan. “However, the past is in the past. The rest I got has made me feel better and I hope to perform at my best during the World Cup for my team with a new mindset,”

Shadab Khan had a forgettable stint at the Asia Cup 2023 as he only managed to pick six wickets in five games at an average of 40.83, while with the bat, he scored a meagre 13 runs from five outings.

Shadab Khan also backed teammate and opening batter Fakhar Zaman, who also struggled during the Asia Cup, scoring 65 runs in the four innings at an average of 16.25.

“Fakhar Zaman is a world-class player, although he is not been consistent this year, but he is an impact player. We have complete faith in his abilities and we believe that he will help Pakistan win matches in the World Cup,” he added.

He also stressed the fact that fitness and bowling are key to winning the mega-event in India.

“World Cup 2023 is a long tournament and we have experienced a few injury scares during Asia Cup, that is why fitness will be key for all the teams during the tournament,” he said.

“Considering the conditions, it will be a challenge to stop the flow of runs and take wickets here, so whoever bowls well will win the World Cup,” he added.

Pakistan team is scheduled to face Australia in their second warm-up match on October 3, at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, before kicking off their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign with the match against Netherlands on October 6 at the same venue.

Pakistan lost their first warm-up match against New Zealand by five wickets as New Zealand batters chased down a mammoth 346 total with 38 balls to spare.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

READ: Pakistan Shaheens squad reaches Hangzhou to partake in Asian Games 2023