Shadab Khan: “I am learning from one of the best”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan has begun training with legendary off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq in a bid to become a better bowler and expedite his return to the national team.
Shadab used to be Pakistan’s go-to spinner in limited overs cricket, but appears to have fallen down the pecking order as of late.
Recently, the 26-year-old started playing first-class cricket again and represented Rawalpindi Region in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he took 19 wickets in five matches, which included a five-wicket haul, at an average of 27.05.
He also scored 278 runs, which included three fifties, at an average of 39.71.
The Mianwali native then took part in the Champions T20 Cup, but only bowled three overs in the six games he played and went wicketless.
Batting-wise, he was restricted to 24 runs at an average of six.
With his form having cooled down, Shadab is hoping he can get back to his best by working with Saqlain.
“I am learning from one of the best,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
The Pakistan team recently travelled to Australia and won the ODI series 2-1 before being thumped 3-0 in the T20Is.
They then headed to Zimbabwe and triumphed 2-1 in both the ODI and T20I series.
Pakistan are now in South Africa and lost the T20I series 2-0 before bouncing back to secure a 3-0 victory in the ODIs.
As for the two-Test series, the Proteas hold a 1-0 lead after winning the 1st Test in Centurion by two wickets.
The 2nd Test will begin on January 3 in Cape Town.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series:Â Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series:Â Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series:Â Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha