Shadab Khan on Babar Azam: “I know his weaknesses and everything. He knows mine as well”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan said he is well aware of Babar Azam’s weaknesses and the star batsman knows his vulnerabilities as well.
The duo recently came up against each other in the Big Bash League (BBL), where Azam represented the Sydney Sixers while Shadab featured for the Sydney Thunder.
They later went head-to-head in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with Azam leading Peshawar Zalmi to the title and Shadab captaining Islamabad United.
Reflecting on their frequent encounters as teammates and opponents, Shadab noted that he knows how to dismiss the 31-year-old.
“I know his weaknesses and everything. He knows mine as well,” the 27-year-old was quoted as saying on X.
Azam was the highest run-scorer in PSL 11 with 588 runs in 11 games, which included two centuries and three fifties, at an average of 73.50 and a strike-rate of 145.90.
As for Shadab, he made 173 runs in 10 matches, which included a top score of 69 not out, at an average of 34.60 and a strike-rate of 141.80.
He was also the joint third-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 14.47 and an economy rate of 7.02.
Pakistan are now touring Bangladesh for a two-Test series, which started on May 8 in Mirpur.
Azam is not playing in the ongoing 1st Test due to a left knee injury and will be reassessed in the lead-up to the 2nd Test, which will get underway on May 16 in Sylhet.
Shadab is not part of the Test team.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi