As the eagerly awaited World Cup 2023 draws near, Pakistan’s leg-spinner, Shadab Khan, has come under scrutiny for his recent form, with the 24-year-old struggling to make breakthroughs for the Green Shirts.
Addressing this concern, former Pakistani fast bowler, Wahab Riaz, has raised significant questions about the all-rounder’s performance.
Wahab, aged 38, emphasizes the importance of instilling confidence in new team members rather than established players. He shared his insights in a video on Zalmi TV, specifically discussing Shadab’s lackluster performance during Pakistan’s Super Four clash against India in Colombo.
“Shadab has been inconsistent. While it’s essential to bolster the confidence of players, this should apply to those who are new to the team. Shadab has been a part of the cricketing landscape for a considerable time and should be well aware of the expectations associated with a player of his caliber,” expressed Riaz.
Wahab also delved into the decision by Pakistani skipper Babar Azam to opt for bowling first after winning the toss—a choice that surprised many cricket enthusiasts. He further speculated about India’s strategy, humorously suggesting,
“I feel this is India’s strategy to bat their 50 overs and let rain come and washout the game (laughs). Jokes apart, I think even if the game had been shortened, Pakistan could have had an advantage as it would have shifted into T20 mode. So, any captain in these conditions might have made the decision to bowl first,” Riaz added.
It’s worth noting that the Pakistan-India match was interrupted by rain on Sunday and subsequently resumed on the reserve day (Monday). As of the latest update, India had reached a score of 236-2 in 38 overs, with KL Rahul (65*) and Virat Kohli (49*) at the crease.
Earlier, Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf was withdrawn from the India-Pakistan clash as a precautionary measure due to discomfort in his right flank. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) clarified that Rauf had undergone an MRI, which revealed no tear, and he was under medical observation.
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