Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan: “I am a bowler who can also contribute with the bat. There’s been talk that I focus too much on batting, but I balance both aspects of my game”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan has acknowledged the perception that he focuses too much on his batting, but insisted that he does not agree with that view.
Shadab emphasised that he works equally on both his batting and bowling to make an impact in all departments. He demonstrated that balance during the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he captained Islamabad United.
The 27-year-old finished as the joint third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 17 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 14.47 and an economy rate of 7.02.
With the bat, he scored 173 runs, which included a top score of 69 not out, at an average of 34.60 and a strike-rate of 141.80.
“I am a bowler who can also contribute with the bat. There’s been talk that I focus too much on batting, but I balance both aspects of my game,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Shadab was not picked for Pakistan’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, which they lost 2-0.
However, he is now part of the team for the ongoing three-match ODI series against Australia, where he has not claimed any wickets in two games.
However, he has performed well with the bat, scoring 71 runs in his only innings, which came in the 2nd ODI.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 going into the 3rd ODI on June 4 in Lahore.
Pakistan Squad for Australia ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim