MELBOURNE: It doesn’t matter when Pakistan take on England in Sunday’s final at the MCG. Shadab Khan It has been a Twenty20 World Cup to remember.
Starring with both bat and ball, the 24-year-old all-rounder helped reinvigorate Pakistan’s flag-raising campaign when all seemed lost.
After last-ball defeats to India and Zimbabwe, Shadab pulled them back from the brink with three wickets for their first win against the Netherlands.
He then rose to prominence during his man-of-the-match performance against South Africa with bowling figures of 52 off 22 balls and 2-16.
The Proteas’ shock defeat by the Netherlands helped propel Pakistan into the semi-finals.
Shadab has been shortlisted. for Player of the Tournament and could win it if Pakistan do business against England in the decider at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
When teammates and coaches talk about Shadab, they all refer to one thing.
Captain Babar Azam said that he brings invaluable energy to the team.
Shadab’s determination and relentless energy, be it in training or in matches, fueled Pakistan’s undefeated World Cup run.
Fire and instinct
Like many Pakistani cricketers, Shadab had a humble beginning.
He grew up playing cricket on the rough pitches of Mianwali district, a farming community on the banks of the Indus River in Punjab province.
It is also home to former Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan and former captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
Those who know him well say that Shadab has always been tireless in his dedication.
“Shadab’s commitment to cricket is unparalleled,” said his club coach Sajjad Ahmed.
“They slept around 9:00 pm and reached the ground before sunrise.
“It’s been his routine for years to get as much practice as possible.”
It was Ahmed who advised Shadab to become an all-rounder and not just focus on batting.
Graduating from club cricket to district level and Pakistan “A”, Shadab participated in the 2016 Junior World Cup in Bangladesh and finished joint top. A wicket taker With 11 for his team.
A year later, Pakistan Super League franchise Islamabad United selected him as an emerging player.
“We were selecting players in the PSL 2017 draft and every other team was passing them over, so I asked Misbah about them,” United’s strategy manager Hasan Cheema recalled.
“Musbah said that Shadab has a fire and instinct that he has not seen in a player for years.
“After six years you can see his competitive fire and the life he brings to the team,” Cheema said. AFP.
From boy to man
But talking only about his energy and determination risks underestimating Shadab’s abilities.
Variation as a leg-spinner is Shadab’s asset and he has been successful in getting the bounce out of Australia’s tough pitches in the World Cup.
His style is aggressive when batting and fielding – his triple ability gives Pakistan flexibility in team selection.
It was then Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur who brought him into the team in 2017.
“When we brought Shadab into the team, he was incredibly excited as a cricketer,” Arthur said. AFP from the UK.
“He was athletic and a three-in-one cricketer.”
Since then, Shadab has added maturity and confidence to his arsenal.
“He’s a match-winner for Pakistan. The difference I’ve seen is that he’s come from a boy to a man,” Arthur said.
jumps.
Shadab’s dream international debut came in Pakistan’s T20 win against the West Indies at Bridgetown in 2017.
One of Shadab’s finest moments came against arch-rivals India in the Champions Trophy that same year, where he trapped Yuvraj Singh in front of the wicket.
English umpire Richard Kettleborough was unmoved but Shadab persuaded captain Sarfaraz Ahmed to review – and it proved correct, making Shadab the hero of Pakistan’s victory.
Sarfaraz said it was too close to the bat but Shadab was sure he had hit the pads first. AFP.
“It’s his confidence on the ground that helps and motivates the team and that’s why he’s improving by leaps and bounds.”