Ramiz Raja: “I don’t understand Shadab Khan’s role with the bat. When he goes out to bat, he bats as a slogger when the situation demands him to build the innings”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has admitted that he is confused about spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan’s role with the bat, pointing out that he just “bats as a slogger”.
Ramiz pointed out that Shadab shouldn’t just be looking to hit big when the team needs him to “build the innings” and set a solid foundation for those coming in after him to take advantage of.
Since the 25-year-old from Mianwali doesn’t seem to be doing what is expected of him, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman called for more clarity regarding his responsibilities as a batsman.
“I don’t understand Shadab Khan’s role with the bat. When he goes out to bat, he bats as a slogger when the situation demands him to build the innings,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
Shadab featured in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and took three wickets at an average of 18 and an economy rate of 6.75.
He then went on to play one T20I against Ireland, but failed to get any wickets and conceded 54 runs off his four overs.
The men in green then faced England in a four-match T20I series and Shadab once again went wicketless in the two games he played and conceded 75 runs off the seven overs he bowled.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he failed to dismiss any batsmen in four matches and didn’t even bowl against India or Canada.
Pakistan lost to the United States of America and India before fighting back to take down Canada and Ireland.
Even though they ended the group stage with a 2-2 record, the men in green couldn’t make it through to the Super Eights.
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
The only things which related to his inclusion in team is friendship, he should play domestic and perform otherwise we will face more shameful defeats against low ranked teams.