Vice-Captain T20I and ODI recognizes his role as that of a versatile bowling player
After recovering from his groin injury, Shadab Khan – the Pakistani vice-captain with limited overs – focused on reviving his bowling form as his main goal. As for his stick, he wants to shape this part of his game according to the demands of the team, clear in his head that his role in the team is that of a “versatile bowling”.
His bowling form has taken a hit for a few seasons now, but Shadab believes it was the pain of the injury that was taking a toll on him. In his first two years of international cricket which started in 2017, Shadab had an average of 18.59, with an economic rate of 6.84 and 44 wickets in T20I, but thereafter his last nine wickets – since October 2019, when Sri Lanka visited Pakistan – have reached an average. of 42.33 and a saving rate of 8.46.
“There have been injuries, but now I’m in great shape and I’m working a lot with the ball and expect to get a better result,” Shadab said. “I still haven’t given up on my role as a versatile bowler. Bowling is crucial because I started my career in 2017 with the Champions Trophy, and my bowling was the highlight there. I am very focused on getting it back. Batting It’s a plus and if my team asks me something as a drummer, that’s a good skill to have.
“I know I haven’t been up to it and haven’t done well with the ball lately, it’s mainly due to a groin injury. My bowling action takes a lot of work. ‘energy and causing pain and was affecting him directly. The hitting is different. and he was not affected by my injury, so it made it feel like I’m just stick. But I still consider myself as a versatile bowling player. I evolved with the bat but errors were identified this year while wrestling in the PSL. Misbah-ul-Haq (head coach) and Younis Khan (batting coach ) are working in the nets to remedy this. “
He had missed the home white ball streak against Zimbabwe late last year when he first complained of his groin injury, but recovered in time for the tour in New Zealand. The problem, however, worsened during a touring match in Christchurch, but he was allowed to lead Pakistan into the T20I after Babar Azam injured his finger. Shadab was then excluded from the series of tests and remained with the team for his rehabilitation. He returned to the pitch in 2021 PSL but averaged 56.50 with the ball in four games taking just two wickets for 8.69 runs per over.
His stick, meanwhile, has turned heads, with a strike rate of 144.73 in T20 over the past 12 months, across PSL, T20 National Cup and T20I against England and Nova Scotia. -Zeeland. But the versatile player wants to go back to his old way of playing with the ball. He is preparing for the South African series with a training camp underway at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan doesn’t have a spin-bowling coach, but Shadab said Waqar Younis was good enough to work with his bowling alley. In the camp, he is believed to have played spells for more than four hours to regain confidence.
“His main job is to pick up wickets and win matches for Pakistan,” Waqar said. “He’s our best cricketer and with the ball in hand he can do wonders for the team. With the bat it’s a bonus and we see him as a versatile player with bowling as his main role. “
“Unfortunately he has struggled with the injury but he is a fighter and gives everything for the country even when he is in pain. Due to the pain his bowling was not under control. But I got him to play a bit. . longer in the net to get his method right and he gets his rhythm back. I hope he gets the job done for Pakistan. “
With Shadab’s fluctuating returns, selectors could not resist looking for other options. In his absence last year, Pakistan registered skaters Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood on the side with left arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. Shadab, however, remained the team’s vice-captain and admits that nobody’s place in the starting XI is not guaranteed.
“I know there is a lot of competition around me which I consider healthy for the team,” Shadab said. “It’s not my team, it’s Pakistan, and if the team wins with me or some other player, that’s ultimately what we all want for the country. The team right now has become so rich that we have substitutes for every position. This is a good sign for a good team in the world. Such competition is useful. It puts a little pressure on every player, but that anyway is always there when you play international cricket.
“And there should be pressure all the time. It keeps you alive and you enjoy playing. The sense of competition is also important. Like how good Usman has been in his career since joining and look at Zahid’s debut. And Nawaz is seizing his chances. So I know we all know whoever plays will stay with the squad. “
Umar Farooq is Pakistani correspondent for ESPNcricinfo