[EXCLUSIVE] "I'm not sure about Shadab Khan's inclusion in the T20I squad": Atiq-uz-Zaman

[Ball Blazer]

In this in-depth interview, Saj Sadiq speaks with former Pakistan Test cricketer and current Germany head coach, Atiq-uz-Zaman, on the major shake-up in the Pakistan T20I squad for the ongoing Bangladesh series. With candid insights into player selections, team strategy, and the future of some high-profile names, Atiq-uz-Zaman offers a unique perspective from inside and outside the Pakistan cricket system.

Main topics covered in this interview:

Hesson's Selection Philosophy: The impact of Mike Hesson’s fitness-first and aggressive approach on squad selection.

Big Names Dropped: Analysis of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan being dropped.

Leadership Choices Scrutinized: Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha as captain and vice-captain—justified or premature?

Notable Absentees Raise Eyebrows: Concerns over omitted players like Sufiyan Muqeem and Akif Javed.

Usman Khan’s Bold Move: Usman Khan’s decision to leave UAE cricket for Pakistan—was it worth it?

Watch the full interview here:

 

[Sachin fan]

Finally someone called it out

 

[BouncerGuy]

Nobody is sure about Shadab's inclusion out of nowhere... Merit killed TBH.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

A fit and firing Shadab is essential to our success in T20. Yes he hasn't fired for a while but you need to give X Factor players a long rope.

 

[pakistani pride]

A fit and firing Shadab is essential to our success in T20. Yes he hasn't fired for a while but you need to give X Factor players a long rope.

What does for a while mean for you?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What does for a while mean for you?

He has been out of form for a couple of years.

However we should persist with him for this T20 world cup. He can fit into the squad alongside Abrar and the part timer spinners.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Shadab earned his place with recent performances. You can't just keep him away from the team overlooking his form.... when you perform well, you deserve a call back into the team.

 

[Professionalismandflair]

in a country of blind men, the one eyed man is King

 

[Professionalismandflair]

He has been out of form for a couple of years.

However we should persist with him for this T20 world cup. He can fit into the squad alongside Abrar and the part timer spinners.

Time to try someone else. His bowling is atrocious and his batting 1 in 20.

 

[cricfan432]

We can play proper batsman in place of shadab. We already have enough bowlers/spinners including salman,khushdil,saim.