Pakistan batsman Khushdil Shah: “People have been chanting at me for two years now. It has become a habit for me. I even tell them, ‘Go on, chant some more'”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Khushdil Shah said he has told fans to go ahead and chant “parchi, parchi” as he is used to it.
The term “parchi” is often used against players who have been selected on favouritism or who they know instead of their performances.
Having heard these chants for two years now, Khushdil brushed it aside and noted that he is only focused on “contributing to the team’s success”.
“If I were playing for my personal score, the chants of ‘parchi parchi’ wouldn’t have been heard today. I have never played cricket for myself. My focus has always been on contributing to the team’s success. I try to score without worrying about my wicket,” the Bannu native was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“People have been chanting at me for two years now. It has become a habit for me. I even tell them, ‘Go on, chant some more’.
“It’s disappointing when players are subjected to negative chants at their home ground. It shouldn’t happen, but I’ve learned to handle it and continue enjoying my game.”
Khushdil was recently involved in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where he made 22 runs in three matches at an average of 11.
He also took one wicket at an average of 127.
After that, the 30-year-old was involved in the 2025 Champions Trophy and struck 107 runs in two games, which included a career-best knock of 69, at an average of 53.50.
Bowling-wise, he claimed one wicket at an average of 83.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India, which led to them getting knocked out in the group stage of the tournament.
The men in green will now embark on a tour of New Zealand, which will comprise five T20Is and three ODIs that will be played from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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