In recent years, Pakistani spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan has grown leaps and bounds both in terms of skill and pedigree, with the youngster establishing himself as one of the best all-rounders currently in limited-overs cricket, particularly in the shorter format.
The 23-year-old has carved a niche for himself, emerging as one of the most impactful players in various T20 leagues across the world, including the Pakistan Super League and the Big Bash League in Australia.
He has impressed many with his accurate leg break bowling and explosive batting capabilities and has been handed the responsibility of vice-captaining the Pakistan white-ball sides in both ODIs and T20Is as a result.
Shadab had a stellar PSL season in 2022, where he emerged as the Most Valuable Player as per several reputed agencies. The all-rounder picked up 19 wickets with the ball for Islamabad United while also scoring 268 runs at a magnificent strike rate of 162.42.
His stats were historical in the sense that no player in the history of the tournament had picked up more than 15 wickets and scored in excess of 250 runs in the same season. While Shadab’s sterling performance could not help United win the title, it was a major factor that contributed to their playoff qualification.
Shadab, however, has now turned his focus to international cricket, where he aims to guide his national team to victory in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022. He revealed his desire to be Pakistan’s key to success, as he aims to pick up the player of the series trophy. However, he made it absolutely clear that Pakistan’s success comes before any individual accolades.
“Personally, I want to be the player of the Asia Cup. I know it is easier said than done when there are so many world-class competitors, but where there is a will, there is a way. I remain committed to delivering my best possible efforts and I am confident I will be rewarded with success and achievements”.
wrote Shadab said in his column posted on the official Pakistan Cricket Board website.
”Like any competition, Sunday’s match is important as it will set the tone for the remaining matches. But we are not over-thinking, a tactic that worked for all of us last year.”
Moreover, Khan refused to be too concerned about Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence and said that the other bowlers in Pakistan’s typically large fast bowling contingent, though not as experienced as Afridi, are still equally up to the task.
”We have many match-winning bowlers in our family and I have confidence in Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani and others, who will surely step up and will succeed in filling the big boots of Shaheen.”
Shadab remarked.
When reminded about the magnitude of the encounter, Shadab said that the Pakistan side were going into the game with a calm mind and are not concerned about the historical significance of the encounter, a strategy that paid huge dividends last time around, as Pakistan pulled off their first victory against India in an ICC World Cup event.
Also read 👉 India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2022 – Preview and Prediction
