Ahmed Shehzad: “The PCB has a different plan with Shadab, and he was included in the team for a different purpose”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has suggested that spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan was brought back into the national team “for a different purpose”.
He didn’t specify what the reason was, but thinks the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have a “different plan” for him.
Shadab had been out of the Pakistan team for some time before making a sudden comeback – that too as the T20I vice-captain.
He was appointed to the role prior to the limited overs tour of New Zealand, where he took one wicket in five T20Is at an average of 143 and an economy rate of 11.
He also scored 58 runs at an average of 14.50 and a strike-rate of 131.81.
“The PCB has a different plan with Shadab, and he was included in the team for a different purpose,” Shehzad was quoted as saying by The Indian Express according to Sports Tak.
After the New Zealand tour, Shadab captained Islamabad United in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and claimed 14 wickets in 10 games at an average of 16.57 and an economy rate of 7.90.
Batting-wise, the Mianwali native amassed 173 runs at an average of 24.71 and a strike-rate of 155.85.
Shadab is now representing Pakistan in their three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and was named Man of the Match in the 1st T20I as he scored 48 runs off 25 balls and took two wickets.
Pakistan won the 1st T20I by 37 runs and will look to secure an unassailable 2-0 series lead in the 2nd T20I, which will be played on May 30 in Lahore.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper) and Saim Ayub
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