Shadab Khan: “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. Whoever is in form, playing well, and beneficial for Pakistan should be in the team”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan is not worried about the return of left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, saying he has never seen him as competition.
His comments come after Imad reversed his decision to retire from international cricket, which means he is now available for selection again.
With Pakistan scheduled to play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18 to 27, Shadab noted that he will respect any decision made whether he or Imad get picked in the playing XI.
“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. Whoever is in form, playing well, and beneficial for Pakistan should be in the team. Such thoughts never crossed my mind,” the 25-year-old told Cricket Pakistan.
Shadab recently played alongside Imad while captaining Islamabad United in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Shadab took 14 wickets in 12 games at an average of 26.85 and an economy rate of 8.54.
He also scored 305 runs, which included three fifties, at an average of 30.50 and a strike-rate of 142.52.
As for Imad, he finished with 12 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 20.91 and an economy rate of 6.60.
He also fared well with the bat, making 126 runs, which included a top score of 59 not out, at an average of 21 and a strike-rate of 128.57.
Islamabad won PSL 9 after beating the Multan Sultans by two wickets in the final.
Islamabad United Squad for PSL 9: Shadab Khan (captain), Naseem Shah, Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Tymal Mills, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Matthew Forde, Salman Ali Agha, Qasim Akram, Shahab Khan, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Obed McCoy, Haider Ali, Muhammad Waseem