Mickey Arthur: “What he provides is a power game, but he also provides a left-handed option at the back end of the innings, which is quite crucial”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur said big-hitting all-rounder Khushdil Shah brings a power game to the national team.
Arthur recently worked with Khushdil in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he scored 298 runs in 10 matches for the Rangpur Riders, which included two fifties, at an average of 59.60 and a strike-rate of 175.29.
He was also the joint third-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 9.94 and an economy rate of 6.03.
Shortly after, the 30-year-old was recalled to the Pakistan team for the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where he mustered 22 runs in three games at an average of 11.
Bowling-wise, he finished with one wicket at an average of 127.
Following this, Khushdil featured in the 2025 Champions Trophy and struck 107 runs in two matches, which included a career-best knock of 69, at an average of 53.50 and a strike-rate of 121.59.
Additionally, he picked up one wicket at an average of 83.
“I’ve just worked with Khushdil in the BPL (Bangladesh Premier League) and he was outstanding. What he provides is a power game, but he also provides a left-handed option at the back end of the innings, which is quite crucial. He bowls his spin, a little bit of spin, so it looks like he’s solidified that role, which is great,” Arthur told PakPassion.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the Champions Trophy, which led to them getting knocked out in the group stage.
Their final game against Bangladesh was washed out, meaning they failed to win a single match throughout the tournament.
Next up for the men in green will be a white-ball tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is and three ODIs 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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