Salman Butt: “The important thing is that when Shadab has to play, he has to bowl and he has to bowl well, and that’s where the question mark lies”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has admitted that there is a question mark over spinner Shadab Khan as he hasn’t been bowling well lately.
Shadab’s form has been a hot topic in the past as he wasn’t taking wickets regularly, which really hurt the men in green.
Recently, the 25-year-old featured in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and claimed three wickets at an average of 18 and an economy rate of 6.75.
He then proceeded to play one T20I against Ireland, but went wicketless and conceded 54 runs off the four overs he bowled.
Pakistan then took on England in a four-match T20I series and Shadab was once again ineffective in the two games he played as he leaked 75 runs off the seven overs he bowled without taking any wickets.
Salman noted that if Shadab is being picked in the playing XI, he has to perform well, especially since he holds an important role in the side.
“The important thing is that when Shadab has to play, he has to bowl and he has to bowl well, and that’s where the question mark lies,” he was quoted as saying by Khel Shel.
Pakistan will now be involved in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which is taking place in the West Indies and United States of America.
Pakistan’s first T20 World Cup game will be against the United States of America in Dallas on June 6.
Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed