Quick Summary
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Pakistan’s T20 vice-captain Shadab Khan says his batting is good enough for the No. 4 spot.
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The 26-year-old all-rounder is captaining Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has scored 147 runs and taken 14 wickets so far this season.
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Despite questions about his recent bowling form, Shadab insists he has been working hard on that side of his game while relying on his “natural talent” with the bat.
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After the PSL final on 25 May, Pakistan will host Bangladesh for three T20 internationals in Lahore from 28 May – 1 June.
Shadab backs himself to bat at No. 4
Pakistan’s leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan believes he deserves a place as high as No. 4 in the batting order, saying his batting ability is “natural” and built on hard work.
“I can bat at number four on merit. I have worked hard to enhance my bowling but have natural talent of batting,”
— Shadab Khan, speaking to journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X (formerly Twitter)
Shadab, who averages 33.33 in Tests, 25.90 in one-day internationals and 17.54 in T20Is, recently played a five-match T20 series against New Zealand. There he scored 58 runs at a scoring speed of 131.81 per 100 balls but managed just one wicket with the ball.
Form in the PSL
Now leading Islamabad United in PSL 10, Shadab has made 147 runs in nine matches (average 24.50) and taken 14 wickets (average 14.78, economy 7.57). The tournament ends on 25 May.
What’s next for Pakistan
Soon after the league, Pakistan’s men will play Bangladesh in three T20Is in Lahore (28 May – 1 June). Shadab keeps his role as national vice-captain under skipper Salman Ali Agha.
Islamabad United squad
Matthew Short, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan (captain); Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Jason Holder; Ben Dwarshuis, Salman Irshad, Salman Ali Agha, Haider Ali; Andries Gous, Colin Munro, Mohammad Nawaz, Rumman Raees; Hunain Shah, Saad Masood; Riley Meredith, Rassie van der Dussen.
Pakistan squad vs Bangladesh
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub.
No local relief efforts are linked to this sports event.
Editor’s note:
This story is adapted from an Associated Press report. It has been rewritten in plain language for readers in India. All quotes and numerical details remain unchanged.
