Tag: Shadab Khan

SHARJAH: Skipper Shadab Khan claimed that the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan proved helpful for Pakistan in strengthening their bench strength for future fixtures. 

Shadab, who captained the Green Shirts during their 2-1 series defeat against Afghanistan in Sharjah, stated the team achieved their desired objective from the series despite the forgettable results.

“The motive of this series was to prepare our bench strength and we have achieved this motive,” he said in a post-match press conference after Pakistan sealed a consolation win in the third T20I on Monday.

“Unfortunately the young players could not perform as we expected from them but definitely this new talent will prove beneficial for Pakistan in the future.”

Flanked by young opener Saim Ayub, who scored 49 from 40 to help Pakistan set a massive 183-run target, the Pakistan captain hailed the youngsters for their outstanding fightback under pressure and for outclassing the opponents in the competition.

“We’re happy that we prevailed in this match and answered the criticism happening against us in the media”

Saim, however, disclosed that the captain and team management had given constant support to the youngsters throughout the series.

“Obviously one undergoes a tremendous amount of pressure when he plays for his country for the first time,” said the 20-year-old.

“But I am happy that finally, I was able to score some runs after failures in the first two matches” he added.

The skipper, however, went on to suggest that the top performers of the series should be given a chance in the future as well.

“We must continue to support these new players as they all are very highly talented,” he requested to the nation.

It may be noted here that left-handed opener Saim Ayub’s sensible knock and a combined dominant effort by the bowlers led Pakistan to a 66-run victory in the third T20I and finished the series 2-1 against Afghanistan.

The national team suffered consecutive defeats after the inexperienced batting lineup slumped to batting collapses in the first two T20Is.

READ: Shadab Khan achieves unique landmark for Pakistan in T20Is

SHARJAH: All-rounder Shadab Khan on Monday became the first Pakistan bowler to complete 100 wickets in T20 Internationals in the ongoing third T20I against Afghanistan.

Shadab dismissed Usman Ghani in the last T20I of the ongoing three-match series against Afghanistan to complete his 100 wickets in the shorter format.

Following this feat, Shadab also became the first Pakistani bowler to breach the 100-wicket mark in T20Is, followed by star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who had 98 scalps to his name.

Shadab took 87 innings to reach the milestone while Afridi played 98 T20Is.

🚨 MILESTONE ALERT 🚨@76Shadabkhan becomes the first Pakistan men's cricketer to take 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ wickets in T20Is 👏#AFGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/FO4c5ImTIb

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 27, 2023

Notably, the leg-spinner has thus far taken three wickets in as many overs and forced Afghanistan to slip to 73/7 while this story was filed.

Earlier, Pakistan batters, led by young Saim Ayub, put on a collective effort to pile a commendable total of 182/7 in the third T20I against Afghanistan.

Saim top-scored for Pakistan with a sensible 49-run knock, followed by Iftikhar Ahmed’s 31 and Shadab’s 17-ball 28.

Afghanistan, however, have already wrapped up the series following a nerve-testing seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I.

READ: Abdullah Shafique breaks unwanted streak of ducks in T20Is 

SHARJAH: Shadab Khan believed that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan would get a greater amount of respect from the nation and the media after the ongoing series against Afghanistan, which saw the new-look team suffering a dismal 2-0 defeat.

Pakistan T20I captain for the three T20Is against Afghanistan, Shadab, requested the people of the country to support the youngsters, saying, “we must accept one’s failures so that he can turn into a world-class player.”

“We are aware of the talent in each of these players. Nervousness is always there, every time you wear a Pakistan star. This was seen today as well,” he said in a post-match press conference on Sunday after Pakistan lost the second T20I and the first bilateral series against Afghanistan.

Shadab said conditions were totally different in Sharjah, adding, “Any team facing Afghanistan in these conditions, would have met the same fate.”

He added the motive behind sending the young team for the assignment was to prepare the bench strength.

“I am hopeful that the players will make a comeback in the next match but even if they don’t, I will keep supporting these youngsters” he expressed.

When asked whether it was the right choice to send a young team for the series without experience and key players, he replied we all used to hurl criticism at our own players, hinting at media representatives in the room.

“When Babar and Rizwan were not performing or even when they performed a sword hung over their heads in the shape of strike rates,” he said

“As a nation, we were demanding to bring these youngsters in international cricket because they had performed in the PSL and wanted them to play at a high strike rate”

“I’m all up for experiments but we all might realize how much the experience matters”

“I think they (Babar and Rizwan) were not getting the respect they deserved but after this series, they will get much more respect, from the media as well as from the nation” he believed.

It may be noted here that Afghanistan sealed a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the second T20I to claim the series 2-0.

Set to chase 131, Afghanistan accumulated 133/3 with a ball to spare, thanks to Gurbaz’s 44. The final T20I will be played today.

READ: Gurbaz stars as Afghanistan edge Pakistan to wrap up series win 

SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Shadab Khan lent support to his young side despite the first-ever international defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in the first T20I of the three-match series here on Friday.

Pakistan fielded a young side in the first T20I, marking the debuts of Tayyab Tahir, Saim Ayub, Zaman Khan and Ihsanullah.

Meanwhile, Shadab, leading the fresh-look squad against Afghanistan, backed his youngsters and asserted that the nerves of international cricket may have affected their performance.

“This series is for our youngsters. We tried to give them confidence. Sometimes, this can happen due to the nerves of international cricket but we have to back them because they have the talent, and hopefully, they’ll show it in the next game,” said Shadab.

“These players are talented and we are sure about that. We should not make someone a star after just one good performance or discard them after one failure. We will back these players and give them full opportunity to perform during the series,” he added.

Opting to bat first in the opening T20I, Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered and the side could amass a meagre 92/9 in the allotted 20 overs, their fifth-lowest in T20Is.

Shadab also acknowledged the shortcomings of his side’s batting in the first T20I while hopeful that the young players will do better in the next game.

“Our bowling and fielding was really good but unfortunately our batting was not up to the mark. However, I’m hopeful that these players will step up like they did in the PSL,” Shadab stated.

It is pertinent to mention that all-round Nabi-inspired Afghanistan downed Pakistan by six wickets in the first T20I to mark their first-ever triumph over the green shirts in international cricket.

SHARJAH: Pakistan’s newly-appointed T20I captain Shadab Khan hoped he would lead the young side from the front during the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan starting today (Friday) at the Sharjah Stadium.

Speaking at a scheduled pre-series press conference on Thursday, Shadab said that the crowd would get to see thrilling matches in the upcoming series, adding, “Afghanistan also have world-class players, especially Rashid Khan.”

Talking about his strategy as the captain of a new-look Pakistan squad, Shadab said he believed in leading from the front and hoped that the players would continue their top form from the PSL.

“I lead from the front and take complete responsibility,” said Shadab

“I have asked the youngsters to utilize their form and play their national games,” he said

He added since the quality of the Pakistan Super League is closer to that of international cricket, young as well as senior players making a comeback would not find it difficult to adjust.

Moreover, he revealed it was his first experience playing in the month of Ramadan, adding,”I will now know how it feels like to play in Ramadan.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the PCB announced a fresh-look squad under the captaincy of Shadab for the upcoming away assignment as the key players, including all-format captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi were rested.

Pakistan Squad: Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan.

Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah, Usama Mir

Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Zaman Khan.

Afghanistan T20I series Itinerary:

24 March – First T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

26 March – Second T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

27 March – Third T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

READ: Asia Cup 2023 likely in Pakistan as India to play on neutral venue: report

KARACHI: Pakistan’s stand-in captain for the upcoming three T20Is against Afghanistan, Shadab Khan, has voiced his reverence to all-format skipper Babar Azam, calling himself a “Wazir”(minister) who represents the King in his absence. 

Speaking at a post-match press conference on Thursday after his side Islamabad United lost to Peshawar Zalmi in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League season 8, Shadab said Babar was rested and since he was not there his minister would represent the monarch in his place.

“He is not former but our current captain” replied Shadab when a journalist called Babar, ‘former captain’.

“He is resting and since I am his Wazir, I will be in charge while he is not there” he added.

Talking about his team’s defeat in the knockout game of the tournament, Shadab said although they made a good comeback in the middle overs, the damage had already been done in the first 10 overs.

“As a captain and as a player, I believe the first 10 overs cost us the match” he expressed.

“Although we made a good comeback in the last 10 and restricted them, credit goes to their bowlers especially Aamer Jamal and Salman Irshad the way they bowled.”

“Babar has a vast captaincy experience in T20s, he made some good bowling changes in the latter half of our innings,” he added

“We lost back-to-back wickets after 10 overs and as a team, we could not put out our best”

Commenting on the bilateral T20I series against Afghanistan later this month in Sharjah, Pakistan’s stand-in captain for the forthcoming task hoped that people would see exciting cricket since he is leading a young and fresh-look team.

“It’s a good opportunity for the young players to prove themselves. In fact, it is also a chance for us as well to test our bench strength” Shadab said

He added that the Green Shirts had to play fearless but smart cricket, saying, “in modern-day cricket, you have to be both, fearless and smart,

“Because when you play fearlessly, there are more chances of failure. But when you are smart plus fearless, your success ratio increases” he concluded.

READ: Babar Azam becomes fastest to 9000 T20 runs

LAHORE: Newly-appointed Pakitan captain for the three T20Is against Afghanistan in Sharjah later this month, Shadab Khan, said he was very excited to lead a young team in the upcoming series.  

Shadab, who will lead a new-look T20I side in the absence of regular captain Babar Azam, expressed that he would try to do justice with the role with his performance and abilities.

Along with Babar, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are also given rest while four uncapped players, namely, Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and Zaman Khan have been included in the squad.

Whereas, Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim have been recalled to the national T20I side.

“I am grateful to  Almighty Allah for giving me this opportunity,” said Shadab in an interview shared by Pakistan Cricket Board on their official Twitter account on Tuesday.

“This is a big responsibility as I will be leading a nation of 220 million people and I will try my best to do justice with it with all the ability that I have.”

The new captain congratulated the youngsters who received their maiden call-up to the national side, saying, “it is exciting to lead a young team since it is full of energy.”

“I will try to take the energy from the young players and translate it into my own performance,” he added.

It may be noted here that the three-match series between Pakistan and Afghanistan will commence on March 24, while the remaining two T20Is will be played on March 25 and March 27. All the matches will be played in Sharjah.

Squad: Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan.

Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah, Usama Mir

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan continued to support his team’s fearless approach despite suffering the heaviest defeat of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) history. 

On Thursday, United lost their second clash against Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing PSL season 8 as they were bundled out for a meagre 107 while chasing a massive 227, giving defending champions a resounding 119-run victory.

“These failures are bound to happen when you are going with a fearless approach,” said Shadab in a post-match press conference, adding, “I will still back my team and this approach.”

He elaborated that the team had won a number of high-scoring matches with their attacking approach and it was not possible to win each and every game.

“We have chased targets above 200 in the last three matches. You cannot chase without such an approach. In fact, it’s not necessary that you chase 200 every day, especially against such quality bowling.”

United’s captain, however, did not shy away from accepting the loopholes in teams’ bowling and hoped that it would come back in the next matches.

“Our bowling has been conceding 200 runs consistently which I believe should not be the case,” he said.

Moreover, Shadab added that people should not demand modern-day cricket from the Pakistan team if they were not willing to accept the failures.

“When you ask a player or any team to score 200 (in T20s), there are higher chances of failures. But, as a nation, we do not accept it. We want modern-day cricket and at the same time not ready to accept failures, which is not possible” he said.

When asked about the nature of pitches in the PSL which saw bowlers not getting any kind of help, Shadab believed although the bowlers suffered at these wickets but gave the spectators the kind of entertainment they wanted to see.

“Crowd want to see sixes and fours. No one wants to see the dot balls. I think these days if you do not offer such entertainment to the crowd why would they bother to come to the stadiums,” he maintained.

READ: Pat Cummins’ mother dies, Australia wear black armbands to pay tribute

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan has accepted his team’s batting failure in the last game against Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League season 8, attributing the collapse to the players’ fearless approach. 

“When you demand modern-day cricket from the player such failures may also happen,” said Shadab on Tuesday at a press conference.

The skipper claimed he was well aware of the possibility that his team’s batting lineup could also crash someday owing to their attacking approach.

“I was saying this from last year that a day might come when we will be all out under 100. And that day has come,” he commented on United’s one-sided loss against Qaladars on Monday when they were bowled out for 90 while chasing 201.

“We have to accept their failures too when we demand a fearless approach from the players. And as a team, we are accepting this” he added.

With six points, United currently sits third on the points table after five games and will play their first home game in the tournament when they face Karachi Kings in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Commenting on the Kings’ bumpy journey so far in this PSL, Shadab did not shy away from calling them a ‘big franchise’ which knew how to come out of such pressure situations.

“We have to give our best in the field against them (Karachi Kings),” he asserted.

Moreover, recently-married Shadab also opined on the dip in his performance in the current PSL season, saying it has nothing to do with a new chapter of his life.

READ: Iftikhar Ahmed likens Babar criticism to ‘a sin’

ISLAMABAD: Star all-rounder Shadab Khan has shared his photos in a wedding outfit as he ties the knot with Saqlain Mushtaq’s daughter in an intimate ‘Baraat’ ceremony on Thursday. 

Taking to Twitter, the groom Shadab posted a few clicks from the big day of his life. He chose an ivory sherwani with a matching turban for the occasion.

“Alhamdulillah. Today is a blessed day for me and my family. My baraat. I hope I can be a good husband to my wonderful wife. A huge thank you to everyone for respecting my family’s privacy.” said the Islamabad United captain in his tweet.

Alhamdulilah. Today is a blessed day for me and my family. My baraat. I hope I can be a good husband to my wonderful wife. A huge thank you to everyone for respecting my family’s privacy.

Wardrobe: Humayun Alamgir,
Styling: Tony & Guy,
Photography: da artist pic.twitter.com/PDe3LKwqPl

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) February 9, 2023

A short clip from his wedding ceremony has also surfaced on social media and fans are gushing over his all-white groom look in the now-viral snippet. His fans sent heartwarming wishes for the new couple via social media platforms.

 

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The pre-wedding festivities for the star athlete kickstarted last night with an intimate mehendi celebration. Pictures and videos from the close-knit affair were shared by Samiya, wife of fellow cricketer Hassan Ali, on social media.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan cricket team’s all-rounder Shadab Khan got nikkahfied last month. Taking to his social media handle, Khan announced: “Alhamdulilah, today was my Nikkah. It is a big day in my life and start of a new chapter.”

 

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A post shared by Shadab Khan (@shadab0800)

He added, “Please respect my choices and those of my wife, and our families. Prayers and love for all.”