Abdur Rauf: “Why [is] Shadab Khan playing with Pakistan? He is out of form from 4 years, never performed at [the] international or domestic level but [was] still selected for Pakistan, which is [the] worst example of nepotism and obligation”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan fast bowler Abdur Rauf has blasted the decision to recall Shadab Khan to the national team, calling it “[the] worst example of nepotism”.
Rauf added that Shadab has not performed in international or domestic cricket for the past four years, which raises further questions as to how he managed to get back into the team.
Shadab was also appointed Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain prior to the limited overs series against New Zealand.
In the five T20Is he played, the 26-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder took one wicket 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.
“Why [is] Shadab Khan playing with Pakistan? He is out of form from 4 years, never performed at [the] international or domestic level but [was] still selected for Pakistan, which is [the] worst example of nepotism and obligation. When [will] Pakistan cricket will get freedom from this safarshi (recommendation) culture? Sad,” Rauf said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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 struck 173 runs at an average of 24.71 and a strike-rate of 155.85.
Shadab was then involved in Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, which the men in green won 3-0, and picked up four wickets in three games at an average of 16.25 and an economy rate of 7.22.
He also made 55 runs at an average of 27.50 and a strike-rate of 157.14.
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
[TS_Poll id=”89″]