Atiq-uz-Zaman: “I’m still not sure about the inclusion of Shadab Khan at the minute. I don’t think he’s proven enough in [the] PSL to be a member of the squad. Don’t forget, he’s been performing really poorly for Pakistan”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Atiq-uz-Zaman believes spinner Shadab Khan hasn’t done enough to be part of the T20I team.
Shadab is actually Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain, but Atiq pointed out the 26-year-old has been “performing really poorly” for the men in green and questioned why has been picked.
During the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), Shadab captained Islamabad United and took 14 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 16.57 and an economy rate of 7.90.
He also did well with the ball, scoring 173 runs at an average of 24.71 and a strike-rate of 155.85.
After the PSL concluded, the Mianwali-born cricketer featured in Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and finished with four wickets 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 then toured Bangladesh for three T20Is, but Shadab missed the series as he had surgery on his right shoulder.
Taking Shadab’s recent performances into account, Atiq feels there are other players who are more deserving of a spot in the Pakistan T20I team.
“I’m still not sure about the inclusion of Shadab Khan at the minute. I don’t think he’s proven enough in [the] PSL to be a member of the squad. Don’t forget, he’s been performing really poorly for Pakistan. In terms of Shadab always known as a good fielder, his fielding was below par as well, he dropped a few catches when he played T20 cricket [last time]. I’m not really sure about Shadab Khan,” he told PakPassion.
Pakistan are now touring the West Indies and won the T20I series 2-1.
The three-match ODI series will get underway on August 9 in Trinidad.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
Pakistan Squad for West Indies ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
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