[EXCLUSIVE] “Shadab Khan’s absence from the Champions Trophy squad surprises me”: Mickey Arthur

[The Bald Eagle]

In our latest exclusive interview, Mickey Arthur, former head coach of Pakistan and a globally renowned cricket coach, shares his expert insights on Pakistan cricket, the upcoming Champions Trophy, and his unforgettable experiences with the team. With a career spanning South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Mickey offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan cricket.

Key topics include:

Pakistan’s chances in the Champions Trophy: Can the current squad deliver another historic win, after sending shock waves across the cricket community with an unexpected title triumph in 2017.

Babar Azam’s batting position: Why moving him to open could be a risky move and why it would be wise to let Babar Azam play at his favorite position in the greater interest of team and his own good.

Pakistan vs India rivalry: The pressure, chaos, and what it takes to win. The drama that engulfs the fans from the sub-continent. An insight into the games of nerves too and what exactly a team requires to claim all the marbles.

Shadab Khan’s absence: Shadab Khan is not part of Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad but he is leading Pakistan Shaheens in the warm-up fixtures ahead of the event. However, some suggest that Agha and Shadab offer all-rounder capabilities

Death bowling concerns: Pakistan's death bowling continues to be a major concern, having conceded 98 runs in the final six overs. Shadab also identified their fielding as a cause for concern after dropped catches on batting-friendly wickets and also said the fast bowlers were struggling as a unit.

Afghanistan as the dark horse: Pakistan began the tournament with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka before losing to India, Australia and Afghanistan. The last defeat was a major upset as their Asian neighbours won by eight wickets to leave Pakistan fifth in the standings in the CWC 2023.

Reflections on the 2017 Champions Trophy win: Pakistan’s most notable achievement in the ICC Champions Trophy came in 2017 when they won the title by defeating India in the final. This win remains a significant part of Pakistan’s cricket history, adding to the excitement for the 2025 edition.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Shadab's downfall has hurt Pak cricket & he needs to work on his bowling. Adam Zampa is a perfect role model for him to emulate, skiddy bowler who stays wicket to wicket and rarely bowls a bad ball.

Instead of becoming a better batter over time, he has lost even his primary skill & now finds himself on the fringes. This is the general issue with Pak players, almost all of them start ok but then just frizzle out instead of reaching the next level.

Shaheen, Babar, Amir, Hassan Ali, Wahab, etc. to name a few who looked really good but just have stagnated or are going downhill. No one has that desire to do extra to be a world beater, just leisurely practice sessions facing throwdowns & that's it.

 

[pakistani pride]

Is he for real?!
Shadab is the prime example of mediocrity. Should stick to T20 cricket in lower league's. that is his level.

 

[ads101]

He’s right about shadab. The problem is we see it from a fan view. We’d love to see the development of new younger player, players that spin the ball and can potentially become better players. Which is fine for bilaterals.

But when it comes to tournaments you want experienced players. We’re going in without a single experienced spinner. Even shadab being on the bench is worth it.

 

[pakistani pride]

He’s right about shadab. The problem is we see it from a fan view. We’d love to see the development of new younger player, players that spin the ball and can potentially become better players. Which is fine for bilaterals.

But when it comes to tournaments you want experienced players. We’re going in without a single experienced spinner. Even shadab being on the bench is worth it.

And what has his so called experience done for Pak. I guess you already forgot WC23?

He cant even bowl a decent over. Yes experienced in bowling full tosses.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Is he for real?!
Shadab is the prime example of mediocrity. Should stick to T20 cricket in lower league's. that is his level.

what r we getting in form of Faheem? Shadab was the way better option compared to both Khushdil and Faheem.

 

[Nasty Naz]

And what has his so called experience done for Pak. I guess you already forgot WC23?

He cant even bowl a decent over. Yes experienced in bowling full tosses.

Looks like you forgot 2021 & 2022 where he was one of our better bowler & players. Had Pakistan won in 2022, he likely would have been player of the tournament.

A shame his bowling has really struggled in recent times because Pakistan have dearly lacked that bat/ball balance you need in LOI. Just looked at the mishmash lineups Pakistan are using to find ways to replace him.

 

[moghul]

Shadab's downfall has hurt Pak cricket & he needs to work on his bowling. Adam Zampa is a perfect role model for him to emulate, skiddy bowler who stays wicket to wicket and rarely bowls a bad ball.

Instead of becoming a better batter over time, he has lost even his primary skill & now finds himself on the fringes. This is the general issue with Pak players, almost all of them start ok but then just frizzle out instead of reaching the next level.

Shaheen, Babar, Amir, Hassan Ali, Wahab, etc. to name a few who looked really good but just have stagnated or are going downhill. No one has that desire to do extra to be a world beater, just leisurely practice sessions facing throwdowns & that's it.

Absolutely , everyone trying to become a utility player or bits and pieces player with little bit of batting and not working on their primary specialty . Shadab showed so much promise as a leggie at very young age but then lost the art of wrist spin by not playing in longer version of the game , FC or test.

He is still young and fit, should work hard on this leg spin and he could be a very important player , again.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Seeing Khushdil and Faheem in the team, I totally agree with Mickey here... Shadab would have been a much better choice here even though he was also out of form but he has bene playing QEA trophy recently and did fine job but alas, BPL performances worth more than domestics so Shadab should join any league instead of wasting time in domestics to get a place in the team.

 

[daytrader]

No doubt Shadab would've been a better choice. But can you imagine the flak Rizwan and co would've gotten if they selected him. Laloo panjoos would've jumped on the bandwagon that they're selecting their 'friends'

 

[Marooned]

Far far better option than khushdil shah.

The management must always see Shadab as an AR and not a front line spinner. A Frontline spinner should be developed separately.

If they stick to this approach, he can provide good value as a spin all rounder in Asian conditions.

 

[Savak]

Can't select Shadab if he hasn't proven his form and fitness. He had badly regressed in 2023 and it eventually came to the point where Babar lost confidence in him during the 2023 ODI WC and the T20 WC in 2024. He was not in great form leading up to both these tournaments and was selected for his experience, the selectors are rightfully not making the same mistake again.

Shadab the bowler we saw in 2017 is long gone as of now.

 

[Bewal Express]

Shadab needs to bowl 500 overs a season for a couple years to get rhythm and accuracy. He offers a lot as number 8 and he is a good fielder.

 

[pakistani pride]

No doubt Shadab would've been a better choice. But can you imagine the flak Rizwan and co would've gotten if they selected him. Laloo panjoos would've jumped on the bandwagon that they're selecting their 'friends'

On what basis should he have been selected? Bowling full tosses non stop?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Shadab has been too awful for too long. He needs to seriously work on his bowling and play alot of FC and List-A cricket before he can even think about playing for Pakistan again.

 

[Kianig89]

As per Micky squad would have been

Fakhar
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Nawaz
Shadab
Jehandad
Amir
SSA
Rauf

 

[Cricket Warrior]

As per Micky squad would have been

Fakhar
Shan
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Nawaz
Shadab
Jehandad
Amir
SSA
Rauf

It still looks more balanced compared to what we have right now.

 

[gazza619]

Shadab is not a match winner so no point in crying over his absence

 

[daytrader]

On what basis should he have been selected? Bowling full tosses non stop?

On the basis that he's better than Faheem and Khushdil

 

[BouncerGuy]

On the basis that he's better than Faheem and Khushdil

Agree. If replacements are Khushdil and faheem, Shadab is a beast.

 

[FearlessRoar]

If showing intent is the key then Pakistan just doesn't know how to do it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1892232446965358686

 

[pakistani pride]

On the basis that he's better than Faheem and Khushdil

Shadab is not Int quality. I dont know if you followed his pathetic performances last 2 to 3 years?
He is a prime example of mediocrity.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Shadab is not Int quality. I dont know if you followed his pathetic performances last 2 to 3 years?
He is a prime example of mediocrity.

Is he even worse than current all-rounders in the team??

 

[pakistani pride]

Is he even worse than current all-rounders in the team??

He is not good, in fact none of them can be called International quality all-rounders.

 

[BouncerGuy]

He is not good, in fact none of them can be called International quality all-rounders.

But if you have to pick one, who will it be among them???

 

[pakistani pride]

But if you have to pick one, who will it be among them???

I would not pick Shadab, a so called bowler who has 0 control over his bowling.

Khusdil is the best among the worst (if you get what I mean).

 

[BouncerGuy]

I would not pick Shadab, a so called bowler who has 0 control over his bowling.

Khusdil is the best among the worst (if you get what I mean).

Ok brother... I will not even pick any of them but among these 3 guys, Shadab gives you extra edge in field, he is more off a batter than Faheem is and his bowling is still not that bad as Khushdil of Faheem's

 

[emranabbas]

Mickey still living in 2017

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

is he serious?? Shadab has been crap for such a long time..

 

[pakistani pride]

is he serious?? Shadab has been crap for such a long time..

Well said!

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Shadab.. He could barely spin the ball on Indian pitches.. No loop, no drift nothing.
He is done.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

is he serious?? Shadab has been crap for such a long time..

so what were the performances of Faheem? atleast shadab was a way better option compared to him.

 

[hassan918]

If he has a good PSL, he will be back in the national side. Pakistan will keep on bringing back these tried and tested players unlike some other teams of the World.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

so what were the performances of Faheem? atleast shadab was a way better option compared to him.

Rana jee is Nawaz's boy!! he had to play today.

 

[pakistani pride]

is he serious?? Shadab has been crap for such a long time..

Well said!

so what were the performances of Faheem? atleast shadab was a way better option compared to him.

better option in bowling full tosses?
both are not good enough!

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Well said!

better option in bowling full tosses?
both are not good enough!

Shadab can at least contribute with his batting or fielding skills if he is not good enough with the ball on the day but Rana Faheem Ashraf is just a burden with 0% skills and 100% parchi.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Don't worry Mickey he'll be back soon in what will be another botched surgery by the so called Pakistan Circus Board.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Seeing such a performance from current players, Shadab will be back pretty soon in the team.

 

[Justcrazy]

Shadab has regressed too much in bowling. He needs to work on his bowling.
As far as batting is concerned , I would like to see him as a batting all rounder. He needs to be able to bowl at least 6 -7 overs every game and bat at number 7. That would be good for the team.

 

[batandballbattle]

I don't want to see this full toss and long hop specialist anywhere near the team again

 

[gazza619]

I don't want to see this full toss and long hop specialist anywhere near the team again

I Agree but we can’t stop his comeback unfortunately

 

[pratiktc]

I understand he has played 4 FC games for Ghani Glass over last month.

Quality of cricket isn't great but bowling long spells will hopefully help him find rhythm.

I hope he plays league cricket in Eng too this year instead of Hundred/Blast

 

[Savak]

I understand he has played 4 FC games for Ghani Glass over last month.

Quality of cricket isn't great but bowling long spells will hopefully help him find rhythm.

I hope he plays league cricket in Eng too this year instead of Hundred/Blast

He's apparently bowled 200 overs this season in domestic cricket.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He's apparently bowled 200 overs this season in domestic cricket.

and 150 out of 200 must have been full tosses

 

[pakistani pride]

and 150 out of 200 must have been full tosses

Well said.

 

[Aami]

Shadab at his best is/was the spinner we needed at no 7 ... unfortunately he has been past his best since 2017 CT final

 

[BouncerGuy]

Shadab is a better batter and fielder than many over-hyped players atm. Yeah it would not be a wise move to panic and bring the misfired bullets back like we did in the CT2025 but you cannot rule out a player.

 

[pakistani pride]

Shadab is a better batter and fielder than many over-hyped players atm. Yeah it would not be a wise move to panic and bring the misfired bullets back like we did in the CT2025 but you cannot rule out a player.

If you really want change - bring in new faces, deserving players not the TTS failures.
You almost sound like a Pak chief selector.

 

[zahid01]

I am afraid recycling is speciality for pcb same brought back time after time when will they learn

 

[BouncerGuy]

If you really want change - bring in new faces, deserving players not the TTS failures.
You almost sound like a Pak chief selector.

I really hope PCB has some sense and they think wisely and chose young emerging faces. But the way, things work in PCB, we have to be ready for any kind of shocker.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

is he serious?? Shadab has been crap for such a long time..

Agreed 101%

 

[BouncerGuy]

Let's see what he has got as he is back in the team out of nowhere like others and also given the vice-captaincy post.... He cannot botch this chance now.