(Credit PCB)
Former Pakistan cricketer and PCB chief, Ramiz Raja, questioned the value and role of all-rounder Shadab Khan in the Pakistani team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Shadab Khan was one of the middle-order batters who underperformed during Pakistan’s heavy defeat to Jos Buttler’s England. At one stage, the visitors seemed poised to score over 180 runs, but due to the middle order’s poor showing, they couldn’t even reach 160.
Despite a strong start from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the subsequent batters failed to maintain the momentum. Consequently, Pakistan’s bowlers didn’t have a sufficient total to defend. The Men in Green lost the 4-match series 2-0, concluding their T20 World Cup 2024 preparations in the worst possible manner.
What did Ramiz Raja say about Shadab Khan?
After watching the entire match at Kia Oval, Ramiz Raja had stern words for Shadab Khan. He began by pointing out the middle order’s failure to score runs, calling it the turning point of the game. The former PCB chairman urged the batters to demonstrate more resilience.
Raja then mentioned that Imad Wasim, who had suffered a rib injury during training, should be included in every game to provide balance to the team. He suggested that if the management decides to drop Shadab Khan, they should do so without hesitation, as his batting role is unclear.
Raja acknowledged that Shadab Khan is not suitable for the number 5 position and proposed that Saim Ayub could be tried in that spot instead.
“The middle order’s poor performance led to the lack of runs and cost us the game. Imad Wasim should be selected for all matches. If Shadab needs to be benched, do it. You can place Saim Ayub in the middle order because Shadab isn’t suitable at No. 5,” Ramiz Raja said in his latest YouTube video.
Ramiz Raja describes Shadab Khan as a slogger.
Ramiz Raja continued his criticism of Shadab Khan by stating that Shadab’s proper position should be at number 7, not number 5, as he plays like a true slogger. Raja recommended placing a specialist batter at number 5 to bring more stability to the team. He also noted that Shadab appeared out of touch, out of form, and completely out of place.
“If a proper batter comes in, it will bring some stability in the middle order.Shadab Khan in middle order? What is his role, I don’t get it. At No.5, he is out of touch and out of form. His ideal batting position should be No.7. He tries to play like a slogger,” Ramiz Raja concluded.
