Is Shadab Khan not interested in Test cricket?

[Mamoon]

Shadab Khan has been put on a pedestal since 2017. He has been lauded as Pakistan’s biggest name alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan.

He has been advertised as the numero uno all-rounder in the country - someone who can change a game in all three departments.

And yet - in spite of bursting onto the scene almost half a decade ago, he only has 6 Tests under his belt and 11 domestic FC matches.

He is already a big name in Pakistan cricket and with Yasir Shah’s career coming to a close, he has the perfect opportunity to cement himself as Pakistan’s first-choice spinner in Test cricket.

Shadab can play every Test match for the next 10 years and his place will not be under threat. It is extremely disappointing to see that a young player who is hailed as Pakistan’s best all-rounder and future captain has no interest in establishing a Test career.

It seems that he wants to be the next Shahid Afridi without his hitting prowess rather than carve out an excellent Test career like Jadeja has for India.

I think PCB needs to provide some clarity on this - is he refusing to play Test cricket or do they feel that he is not fit enough for the format? The latter could be a possibility - he pretends to be a great athlete but he is always injured.

Having said that, considering how they rushed back Shaheen, it is obvious that PCB does not take fitness seriously.

The more likely reason is the lack of interest and reluctance on Shadab’s part and if that is indeed the case, our fans need to cut down the hype and praise.

If a 24 year old player does not have the heart for Test cricket then he has no business standing alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan as the biggest name in Pakistan cricket.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

I think his issue with playing test cricket is his fitness, as you mentioned.
There’s no doubt he should be playing because he’s exactly what Pakistan needs. A leg spinner who can also bat.

He has a chronic knee problem and he has played even while being injured. In the NZ series, he was fielding at fine leg for multiple games.
In the World Cup, every time he dove while fielding he would grab his knee.

I don’t think the issue is he’s reluctant to play test cricket, I believe the issue is he’s injury prone and as 99% of other players in the world, he wants to extend his white ball career.

 

[Rana]

Shadab Khan reminds me of Sobia’s character in the drama Wehshi

“Mere Kuch goals hain…”

Test cricket and grafting is not one of his goals

Easy money and easy popularity is.

 

[Xoib]

Shadab Khan has been put on a pedestal since 2017. He has been lauded as Pakistan’s biggest name alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan.

He has been advertised as the numero uno all-rounder in the country - someone who can change a game in all three departments.

And yet - in spite of bursting onto the scene almost half a decade ago, he only has 6 Tests under his belt and 11 domestic FC matches.

He is already a big name in Pakistan cricket and with Yasir Shah’s career coming to a close, he has the perfect opportunity to cement himself as Pakistan’s first-choice spinner in Test cricket.

Shadab can play every Test match for the next 10 years and his place will not be under threat. It is extremely disappointing to see that a young player who is hailed as Pakistan’s best all-rounder and future captain has no interest in establishing a Test career.

It seems that he wants to be the next Shahid Afridi without his hitting prowess rather than carve out an excellent Test career like Jadeja has for India.

I think PCB needs to provide some clarity on this - is he refusing to play Test cricket or do they feel that he is not fit enough for the format? The latter could be a possibility - he pretends to be a great athlete but he is always injured.

Having said that, considering how they rushed back Shaheen, it is obvious that PCB does not take fitness seriously.

The more likely reason is the lack of interest and reluctance on Shadab’s part and if that is indeed the case, our fans need to cut down the hype and praise.

If a 24 year old player does not have the heart for Test cricket then he has no business standing alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan as the biggest name in Pakistan cricket.

Yeah good post

PCB should come down hard on him. Stop giving him NOC to play pajama leagues unless he commits to play FC cricket and make him self available for test selection

 

[TheSultan]

I agree with OP. Very hard to respect a player in his 20s or even early 30s who loses his ambition for test cricket.

But even if you do away with respect, the PCB should clarify why he’s not selected.

 

[Osama Shafeeqe]

Where does this this sense of duty to play Test cricket come from? Cricket players should have a right to be selfish and choose to play format that makes them the most money as long as they make their intentions clear.

The reality is, the limited overs format is a completely different game that requires a different set of skills that not always translates well into Test cricket. Test cricket is physically too draining without the same monetary gain you get from limited overs cricket. Why bowl 30 overs in 40C temperature to make almost the same amount of money from a game that requires you to bowl 4 overs.

 

[Cricket-lion]

Yeah good post

PCB should come down hard on him. Stop giving him NOC to play pajama leagues unless he commits to play FC cricket and make him self available for test selection

Why does he have to play test cricket if he does not want to or has fitness issues. Not everyone enjoys playing a game for 5 days and with mostly empty stands.

Test fanatics need to stop forcing the format on players and other fans. Shadab plays 2 formats and that's enough. League cricket is great for exposure and increasing brand marketability abroad for PCB.

 

[pakfan54588]

From my little knowledge he has serious knee issues which is way pcb might have soften a bit and won't risk him for test format especially since worldcup is round the corner

Nevertheless Rules should be same for every player. Pcb should definitely provide some clarity on this issue .

 

[Rana]

From my little knowledge he has serious knee issues which is way pcb might have soften a bit and won't risk him for test format especially since worldcup is round the corner

Nevertheless Rules should be same for every player. Pcb should definitely provide some clarity on this issue .

They were not lenient towards Amir

Same should apply on Shadab

 

[IMMY69]

If its down to his preference then I've lost a lot of respect for him.

 

[MenInG]

Oh hello!

The same people who defend players' rights to play IPL most of the year without worrying about Tests/home duty are now being all holier than thou on Shadab?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

His standing may or may not be affected . But that's not the point . Not everyone can be a multi format cricketer . If PCB forces him to play FC and the workload forces him to lose efficacy in the shortest format, then PCB risk losing the best T20 spinning allrounder in the world.

He has every right to choose formats that suit his strengths and PCB would be stupid to shoot themselves in the foot by forcing him to play long format cricket

 

[ghaint]

Going by Amir example, Shadab owes test cricket nothing. It nothing new as Zampa, Chahal and Anil Rashid also do not play tests. It is frustrating if you are Shadab’s fan that he is not exploring his ceiling in test cricket.

 

[Extra_Cover]

Shadab is definitely carrying some sort of injury which was evident in the recent WC when he wasn't fielding at his normal backward point position.

My best guess is PCB is working with him to get him to full fitness. Shadab is very crucial to our test plans especially in SENA conditions. So as we got home matches we can do away a bit with his injury.

 

[Nasty Naz]

He has constant injuries and I am not even sure he has even played a FC match last couple of years because of it. If it wasn't for his fitness issues, he would be playing FC & likely getting selected to the Test team but at this point, Pakistan may be better off to let him continue focusing on LOI & keep him healthy.

It's not like leg spinners are even doing well in Tests nowadays anyways. Hard to recall a single good leg spinner in recent times outside of Yasir Shah.

 

[ChTab]

They were not lenient towards Amir

Same should apply on Shadab

One little difference, Shadab did not sell his country for some pounds. Amir deserve what happened to him & PCB should have been strict in the first place & should not have allowed him to make a comeback.

 

[ChTab]

Shadab Khan has been put on a pedestal since 2017. He has been lauded as Pakistan’s biggest name alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan.

He has been advertised as the numero uno all-rounder in the country - someone who can change a game in all three departments.

And yet - in spite of bursting onto the scene almost half a decade ago, he only has 6 Tests under his belt and 11 domestic FC matches.

He is already a big name in Pakistan cricket and with Yasir Shah’s career coming to a close, he has the perfect opportunity to cement himself as Pakistan’s first-choice spinner in Test cricket.

Shadab can play every Test match for the next 10 years and his place will not be under threat. It is extremely disappointing to see that a young player who is hailed as Pakistan’s best all-rounder and future captain has no interest in establishing a Test career.

It seems that he wants to be the next Shahid Afridi without his hitting prowess rather than carve out an excellent Test career like Jadeja has for India.

I think PCB needs to provide some clarity on this - is he refusing to play Test cricket or do they feel that he is not fit enough for the format? The latter could be a possibility - he pretends to be a great athlete but he is always injured.

Having said that, considering how they rushed back Shaheen, it is obvious that PCB does not take fitness seriously.

The more likely reason is the lack of interest and reluctance on Shadab’s part and if that is indeed the case, our fans need to cut down the hype and praise.

If a 24 year old player does not have the heart for Test cricket then he has no business standing alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan as the biggest name in Pakistan cricket.

Have you changed your mind about him being the top allrounder? I do remember that until very recently you were convinced that he's a worthless cricketer & now you're mentioning him alongside Jadeja & Afridi.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Shadab Khan has been put on a pedestal since 2017. He has been lauded as Pakistan’s biggest name alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan.

He has been advertised as the numero uno all-rounder in the country - someone who can change a game in all three departments.

And yet - in spite of bursting onto the scene almost half a decade ago, he only has 6 Tests under his belt and 11 domestic FC matches.

He is already a big name in Pakistan cricket and with Yasir Shah’s career coming to a close, he has the perfect opportunity to cement himself as Pakistan’s first-choice spinner in Test cricket.

Shadab can play every Test match for the next 10 years and his place will not be under threat. It is extremely disappointing to see that a young player who is hailed as Pakistan’s best all-rounder and future captain has no interest in establishing a Test career.

It seems that he wants to be the next Shahid Afridi without his hitting prowess rather than carve out an excellent Test career like Jadeja has for India.

I think PCB needs to provide some clarity on this - is he refusing to play Test cricket or do they feel that he is not fit enough for the format? The latter could be a possibility - he pretends to be a great athlete but he is always injured.

Having said that, considering how they rushed back Shaheen, it is obvious that PCB does not take fitness seriously.

The more likely reason is the lack of interest and reluctance on Shadab’s part and if that is indeed the case, our fans need to cut down the hype and praise.

If a 24 year old player does not have the heart for Test cricket then he has no business standing alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan as the biggest name in Pakistan cricket.

Players aren’t machines, and their workloads need to be carefully carefully managed. Even if that includes the player himself taking the initiative to do so. Look at Bumrah as a cautionary tale. Played every every every game. Now it’s a struggle to get on the field even.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Shadab Khan reminds me of Sobia’s character in the drama Wehshi

“Mere Kuch goals hain…”

Test cricket and grafting is not one of his goals

Easy money and easy popularity is.

That is true, when you have easy money coming from T20s, why do the hard work He should be forced to play the tests otherwise it will set a wrong precedent and all new comers will try to hide from Test matches.

Look at Harris Rauf he has been asking to play test cricket from day one.

 

[Mamoon]

Players aren’t machines, and their workloads need to be carefully carefully managed. Even if that includes the player himself taking the initiative to do so. Look at Bumrah as a cautionary tale. Played every every every game. Now it’s a struggle to get on the field even.

There is a difference between managing your workload and not playing Test cricket at all. Shadab is already managing his workload very well - he plays zero FC cricket. If he still feels fatigued and overworked then perhaps he is not physically cable of handing the rigors of professional cricket.

 

[Mamoon]

Have you changed your mind about him being the top allrounder? I do remember that until very recently you were convinced that he's a worthless cricketer & now you're mentioning him alongside Jadeja & Afridi.

I think Shadab is very overrated. He is basically a poor man’s Afridi. He does the bare minimum with both bat and ball but in the eyes of most fans and PCB, he is untouchable because there is a dearth of all-rounders in the country.

However, whatever I feel about him has no bearing on how PCB views him. PCB seems him as a prize asset and a crucial player.

Pakistan is currently lacking in the spinners department in Test cricket. Yasir Shah is done, and they are persisting with a 45 year old SLA like Nauman and have selected a 35 year old leg spinner in Zahid Mehmood.

They are scraping the bottom of the barrel so I fail to understand why a 24 year old spinner like Shadab, who is already a household name in Pakistan cricket and a fixture in the white ball formats, is not playing Test cricket.

I am not interested in Shadab playing Test cricket but I am very much interested in knowing why. I think PCB owes it to the fans to explain why.

They need to come clean on this and clarify if he doesn’t want to play or if he is so weak that he will breakdown if he plays 5-6 Tests per year.

 

[Mamoon]

Where does this this sense of duty to play Test cricket come from? Cricket players should have a right to be selfish and choose to play format that makes them the most money as long as they make their intentions clear.

The reality is, the limited overs format is a completely different game that requires a different set of skills that not always translates well into Test cricket. Test cricket is physically too draining without the same monetary gain you get from limited overs cricket. Why bowl 30 overs in 40C temperature to make almost the same amount of money from a game that requires you to bowl 4 overs.

If you are a centrally contracted player and you have not officially retired from a format, you should be available for selection.

The likes of Afridi, Malik and Razzaq also stopped playing Test cricket at some point. However, they did it when they were in their 30’s and had played the format for years.

Shadab’s situation is quite different. He is 24, he has only played 6 Tests. If he is not interested in playing Test cricket, he should make a public admission. He should not announce retirement from the format but this silence from both him and PCB is insulting the intelligence of the fans.

Not long ago, Amir was dropped from all formats because he retired from Test cricket. I wonder why the rules do not apply to golden boy Shadab.

 

[Farabi]

They were not lenient towards Amir

Same should apply on Shadab

Good post by [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

Yup, good point Rana. Clearly a case of good books vs bad books. Wasn't this the reason Amir became a pariah? If fitness the issue, then it should have been clarified. There have been rumors in the past that Shadab is not interested in test cricket.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

This is not good

 

[Saj]

I don't recall any statement from him saying he doesn't want to play Test cricket.

The selectors at the moment seem to think that he's not good enough for that format.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I don't recall any statement from him saying he doesn't want to play Test cricket.

The selectors at the moment seem to think that he's not good enough for that format.

Same clueless selector that hinks players like nawaz and wasim Jnr are all rounders. Shadab would be ideal test batting all rounder in test side.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Same clueless selector that hinks players like nawaz and wasim Jnr are all rounders. Shadab would be ideal test batting all rounder in test side.

He was the best player in the last tour of England. Bailed the side out with his batting

 

[Major]

Shadab Khan has strength issues. Due to not having good diet he hasnt developed proper strength. Thus, we often see him getting injured.

Shadab Khan cant play test cricket not because he doesnt have the skill but he doesnt have the required strength. He would break down after 1 or 2 spells.

Which is why, its better if Shadab carves out a career by playing t20 cricket and odi cricket. Doesnt need to risk it by playing first class and test.

If Shadab plays first class and test, he will be sitting out more than and Pakistan would not be able to utilize him in limited overs cricket.

 

[Major]

I think Shadab is very overrated. He is basically a poor man’s Afridi. He does the bare minimum with both bat and ball but in the eyes of most fans and PCB, he is untouchable because there is a dearth of all-rounders in the country.

However, whatever I feel about him has no bearing on how PCB views him. PCB seems him as a prize asset and a crucial player.

Pakistan is currently lacking in the spinners department in Test cricket. Yasir Shah is done, and they are persisting with a 45 year old SLA like Nauman and have selected a 35 year old leg spinner in Zahid Mehmood.

They are scraping the bottom of the barrel so I fail to understand why a 24 year old spinner like Shadab, who is already a household name in Pakistan cricket and a fixture in the white ball formats, is not playing Test cricket.

I am not interested in Shadab playing Test cricket but I am very much interested in knowing why. I think PCB owes it to the fans to explain why.

They need to come clean on this and clarify if he doesn’t want to play or if he is so weak that he will breakdown if he plays 5-6 Tests per year.

A spinner ends up amongst the top wicket takers on AUSTRALIAN wickets, and you think that guy is over rated?

Shadab Khan is infact under rated when you compare him to Rashid Khan who has been hyped up as there is no tomr.

Shadab Khan's ability to bowl the ball at the right area depends upon his fitness because when he lands in his bowling action he uses his legs to generate that accuracy. He has had problems with his glutes as when he is not well he misses his landing and he is not very accurate.

His strength issues are not a hidden secret, all those Pakistani fans that follow Pakistan cricket with passion know.

 

[Farabi]

I don't recall any statement from him saying he doesn't want to play Test cricket.

The selectors at the moment seem to think that he's not good enough for that format.

This is obviously not true. FC bowling average of 25 and batting average of 27. One of the best fielders in the world. Clearly cannot be ignored. Weren't Junior and Rauf rewarded test call-up due to their exploits in recent WC. Shadab was the MVP of the WC and Pakistan desperately needs a spinner, specially one who can bat.

The PCB has given to 43 of its players including Shadab, to be listed in the BBL's overseas draft. Shadab will be seen playing Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL first half. Crawley, who will be in Pakistan with the England Test squad at the start of the BBL season, has been recruited as a replacement for Shadab Khan who is set to miss some games in the second half of the BBL due to limited-overs series against New Zealand in January.

 

[Farabi]

Shadab Khan has strength issues. Due to not having good diet he hasnt developed proper strength. Thus, we often see him getting injured.

Shadab Khan cant play test cricket not because he doesnt have the skill but he doesnt have the required strength. He would break down after 1 or 2 spells.

Which is why, its better if Shadab carves out a career by playing t20 cricket and odi cricket. Doesnt need to risk it by playing first class and test.

If Shadab plays first class and test, he will be sitting out more than and Pakistan would not be able to utilize him in limited overs cricket.

That is fine. Question being raised is why this logic didn't apply to previous fast bowlers who wanted to manage their workload and data showed that thier workload was a lot. Why were they treated as pariahs.

 

[Major]

That is fine. Question being raised is why this logic didn't apply to previous fast bowlers who wanted to manage their workload and data showed that thier workload was a lot. Why were they treated as pariahs.

Nope, this is not the question raised in the thread title

First of all, Wahab Riaz's case is different and Amir's case is different.

Amir's fitness issues developed due to his own fault. He was involved in fixing, got caught, sat around and than got selected but had not developed his body strength. Also, Amir didnt want to play in Pakistan, he wanted to play cricket in grounds of his choice and yes that included test. Amir infact plays 3 day and 4 day cricket in England, he has signed up for league clubs there many times...

Shadab's issues related to strength is there for everyone to see from day 1. Shadab can play test if you bring him in right now, the guy would love to play. But after the first test he will be down and injured and he will be out for the whole year. Seen it happen to him many times.

Which is why, Shadab knows the only way he can prolong his career is by playing limited overs only. He even breaks down in limited overs.

I know many posters will now take this oppurtunity to insult or bash Shadab, but remember, these guys came from poor backgrounds never had proper food and just ate what they got. They couldn't develop the required strength while they trained to be cricketers.

Shadab is a smart guy, and knows what he is doing.

 

[shariqnoor]

Shadab Khan has been put on a pedestal since 2017. He has been lauded as Pakistan’s biggest name alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan.

He has been advertised as the numero uno all-rounder in the country - someone who can change a game in all three departments.

And yet - in spite of bursting onto the scene almost half a decade ago, he only has 6 Tests under his belt and 11 domestic FC matches.

He is already a big name in Pakistan cricket and with Yasir Shah’s career coming to a close, he has the perfect opportunity to cement himself as Pakistan’s first-choice spinner in Test cricket.

Shadab can play every Test match for the next 10 years and his place will not be under threat. It is extremely disappointing to see that a young player who is hailed as Pakistan’s best all-rounder and future captain has no interest in establishing a Test career.

It seems that he wants to be the next Shahid Afridi without his hitting prowess rather than carve out an excellent Test career like Jadeja has for India.

I think PCB needs to provide some clarity on this - is he refusing to play Test cricket or do they feel that he is not fit enough for the format? The latter could be a possibility - he pretends to be a great athlete but he is always injured.

Having said that, considering how they rushed back Shaheen, it is obvious that PCB does not take fitness seriously.

The more likely reason is the lack of interest and reluctance on Shadab’s part and if that is indeed the case, our fans need to cut down the hype and praise.

If a 24 year old player does not have the heart for Test cricket then he has no business standing alongside Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan as the biggest name in Pakistan cricket.

The thing is Shadab ain't stupid. He knows he will be exposed big time in Test cricket, especially when the likes of Stokes, Bairstow, cut him down to size with their attacking strokeplay.

 

[ElRaja]

his leg spin style has changed over the years and is not suited to test cricket, he bowls skiddy and quick, no decent batsman would struggle with him.

he would need to go back to first class, grind out 10, 15 games to get that red ball length, pace and flight, given pak select him for every limited overs squad i dont think hell play much first class cricket.

he has potential, but i dont think PCB really see him as a red ball option.

 

[Farabi]

Nope, this is not the question raised in the thread title

First of all, Wahab Riaz's case is different and Amir's case is different.

Amir's fitness issues developed due to his own fault. He was involved in fixing, got caught, sat around and than got selected but had not developed his body strength. Also, Amir didnt want to play in Pakistan, he wanted to play cricket in grounds of his choice and yes that included test. Amir infact plays 3 day and 4 day cricket in England, he has signed up for league clubs there many times...

Shadab's issues related to strength is there for everyone to see from day 1. Shadab can play test if you bring him in right now, the guy would love to play. But after the first test he will be down and injured and he will be out for the whole year. Seen it happen to him many times.

Which is why, Shadab knows the only way he can prolong his career is by playing limited overs only. He even breaks down in limited overs.

I know many posters will now take this oppurtunity to insult or bash Shadab, but remember, these guys came from poor backgrounds never had proper food and just ate what they got. They couldn't develop the required strength while they trained to be cricketers.

Shadab is a smart guy, and knows what he is doing.

Shadab is the fittest cricketer in this team. He literally has muscles bulging out lol
If its a glute/groin/knee injury, totally fair, but it should have been clarified.
The silence is deceptive

 

[wrongun]

his leg spin style has changed over the years and is not suited to test cricket, he bowls skiddy and quick, no decent batsman would struggle with him.

he would need to go back to first class, grind out 10, 15 games to get that red ball length, pace and flight, given pak select him for every limited overs squad i dont think hell play much first class cricket.

he has potential, but i dont think PCB really see him as a red ball option.

Sounds like Zampa. He's useless in red ball cricket- despite playing dozens of FC games he still averages 48. He's accurate and knows how to exploit a batsman who is forced to attack in T20, but lacks the flight and shape to take FC wickets.

 

[Mamoon]

The thing is Shadab ain't stupid. He knows he will be exposed big time in Test cricket, especially when the likes of Stokes, Bairstow, cut him down to size with their attacking strokeplay.

If that is the case then he is a coward and maybe the fans should cut down the hype.

 

[Mamoon]

A spinner ends up amongst the top wicket takers on AUSTRALIAN wickets, and you think that guy is over rated?

Shadab Khan is infact under rated when you compare him to Rashid Khan who has been hyped up as there is no tomr.

Shadab Khan's ability to bowl the ball at the right area depends upon his fitness because when he lands in his bowling action he uses his legs to generate that accuracy. He has had problems with his glutes as when he is not well he misses his landing and he is not very accurate.

His strength issues are not a hidden secret, all those Pakistani fans that follow Pakistan cricket with passion know.

Taking wickets on Australian pitches as a spinner in T20 cricket means nothing. Batsman are going to go for sixes and take risks and you will get opportunities to take wickets. Rashid Khan has been taking wickets in BBL for years.

If Shadab wants to prove himself on Australian pitches he should do it in Test cricket, but he doesn’t have the courage to play that format.

Also, if Shadab is so weak that he will breakdown by playing 5-6 Tests per year, he should stop overacting in the field and maybe he will get injured less.

He will take three tumbles and dive when he could have collected the ball on his feet. This poor background theory doesn’t work because more than half of Pakistani players come from impoverished backgrounds who didn’t have proper nutrition growing up but they are still playing Test cricket.

 

[ElRaja]

Sounds like Zampa. He's useless in red ball cricket- despite playing dozens of FC games he still averages 48. He's accurate and knows how to exploit a batsman who is forced to attack in T20, but lacks the flight and shape to take FC wickets.

pretty much this, a lot of the premier t20 leggies are completely different species to traditional test leggies.

 

[Mamoon]

Sounds like Zampa. He's useless in red ball cricket- despite playing dozens of FC games he still averages 48. He's accurate and knows how to exploit a batsman who is forced to attack in T20, but lacks the flight and shape to take FC wickets.

To be fair to Zampa he hasn’t played a FC match since 2019. He has improved quite a bit over the last couple of years and he could do a good job on Asian pitches now. He won’t be a bad foil for Lyon.

 

[kingusama92]

He said this last month.

“I want to play Test cricket but to be honest I think I can’t take my place in the Test squad right now,” he said on Twitter Spaces as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“I have not played first-class cricket for quite a while but I want to make a comeback in the premium format of the game because there is nothing more charming than playing Test cricket for your country.”

 

[Mamoon]

^ Why has he not played FC cricket for a while? Why has he only played 11 FC matches since his professional debut?

It seems no one wants to ask these questions.

 

[wrongun]

To be fair to Zampa he hasn’t played a FC match since 2019. He has improved quite a bit over the last couple of years and he could do a good job on Asian pitches now. He won’t be a bad foil for Lyon.

Zampa just not needed in Tests.

Swepson is a much better long format leggy and has done well (in my opinion) in his Tests so far. Got some rewards vs Sri Lanka and bowled well in Pakistan only for keeper and fielders to let him down a few times, or he might have had quite decent figures in his debut series too.

 

[hafizexpress]

Taking wickets on Australian pitches as a spinner in T20 cricket means nothing. Batsman are going to go for sixes and take risks and you will get opportunities to take wickets. Rashid Khan has been taking wickets in BBL for years.

If Shadab wants to prove himself on Australian pitches he should do it in Test cricket, but he doesn’t have the courage to play that format.

Also, if Shadab is so weak that he will breakdown by playing 5-6 Tests per year, he should stop overacting in the field and maybe he will get injured less.

He will take three tumbles and dive when he could have collected the ball on his feet. This poor background theory doesn’t work because more than half of Pakistani players come from impoverished backgrounds who didn’t have proper nutrition growing up but they are still playing Test cricket.

I always see you mention his "overacting" in the field and his extra tumbling and diving. Are you watching a different game than the rest of the world? Where does this come from? I admit that I probably have seen Shadab be extra in the field but that was a few years ago in the pre-covid era if anything. Definitely nothing any time recently!

You also seem to have a much different opinion than all the cricket experts and former players out there, including foreign ones who have nothing but praise for Shadab. His impact on the team is quite clear.

With all due respect to you, it is quite apparent that you have some sort of a bias against the guy and have genuine resentment toward him which is extremely unnecessary.

 

[Marooned]

Unfortunately, yes he doesn't seem interested in tests.

I don't agree he doesn't have the skillset tho, imo he has serious potential to become a worldclass test allrounder.

He can really help pakistan test team if he wants.

 

[wrongun]

In all honesty, Shadab has only 6 or so FC games in his entire career last time I checked. This isn't the series to suddenly try your luck at red ball cricket. It wouldn't be wise.

If he wants to play Tests, he needs to play a few domestic matches. Get him on a Shaheens tour or on a test tour he can play the warm up matches and then a lower key series. He needs to get some experience on how to collect FC wickets first- it's very different when the batsman can sit back and wait, without any need to play shots. The thinking is different, the speeds & flight. All that + the physical demands of multiple long spells on multiple days.

 

[Farabi]

Unfortunately, yes he doesn't seem interested in tests.

I don't agree he doesn't have the skillset tho, imo he has serious potential to become a worldclass test allrounder.

He can really help pakistan test team if he wants.

+1
I mean people are forgetting Wasim Junior was selected for crying out loud. How does Shadab not have more credibility to be in the squad? Only two possibilities:
1) not interested enough in FC/Test
2) not fit currently

Or maybe a mix of both

 

[Farabi]

In all honesty, Shadab has only 6 or so FC games in his entire career last time I checked. This isn't the series to suddenly try your luck at red ball cricket. It wouldn't be wise.

If he wants to play Tests, he needs to play a few domestic matches. Get him on a Shaheens tour or on a test tour he can play the warm up matches and then a lower key series. He needs to get some experience on how to collect FC wickets first- it's very different when the batsman can sit back and wait, without any need to play shots. The thinking is different, the speeds & flight. All that + the physical demands of multiple long spells on multiple days.

While the first-class cricket was being played in 2021 in Pak, PCB gave him permission to travel and play in a league in Bangladesh.

 

[Titan24]

Fair question and at the right time.

Shadab is possibly the best overall all rounder we have currently in terms of overall batting, bowling and fielding ability we have and his red ball numbers are far from shabby so not sure what exactly is the issue unless it has something to do with his fitness.

He averages 33 with the bat with 3 50s in test cricket and 36 with the ball. In First class cricket he averages 27 with the bat and 25 with the bowl (With over 60 FC wickets).

So its definitely something other than to do with him being not good enough for red ball cricket when his number show he can be really handy in the red ball format.

A question that should have been asked from the chief selector Mohammad Wasim and team management but, quality of sports journalism in Pakistan is such that they rarely ask genuine/valid questions rather they keep on trying to fulfil certain agendas.

 

[Titan24]

I do think though that him having fitness struggles for the last two years which he mentioned as well (He couldnt even play PSL 2022 at full fitness) and thus not playing any red ball cricket might have something to do with it. If his body can sustain this season or so without much issues then I believe he might be coming into contention. Needs to work hard on it and PCB really needs to work with him in this regard, there arent many players who are as valuable to the team as he is currently.

 

[Amjid Javed]

He was the best player in the last tour of England. Bailed the side out with his batting

Yes i am aware and thats why he should be in test side. My point was aimed at how clueless Mo wasim is as a selector.

 

[Major]

Taking wickets on Australian pitches as a spinner in T20 cricket means nothing. Batsman are going to go for sixes and take risks and you will get opportunities to take wickets. Rashid Khan has been taking wickets in BBL for years.

If Shadab wants to prove himself on Australian pitches he should do it in Test cricket, but he doesn’t have the courage to play that format.

Also, if Shadab is so weak that he will breakdown by playing 5-6 Tests per year, he should stop overacting in the field and maybe he will get injured less.

He will take three tumbles and dive when he could have collected the ball on his feet. This poor background theory doesn’t work because more than half of Pakistani players come from impoverished backgrounds who didn’t have proper nutrition growing up but they are still playing Test cricket.

Bbl is different thats domestic. And if bbl is a criteria rashid khan would had not failed. Rashid was useless in this world t20.

If you watched shadab bowled, he was getting spin on such wickets where other spinners got hit.

He doesnt need to prove anything, cricket is his bread and butter and looking at his strength he needs prolong his career accordingly.

Shadab doesnt over react. When i used to play cricket i used to do the same, this is called being on your toes and being atheletic.vshadab often saves us alot of runs on field. Yes he will drop a difficult one sometimes as he puts alot of effort.

Shadabs issue is his glutes and when he bowls it gets effected.

The poor theory works because these guys dimt have a proper diet growing up. They are not able to build their kuscles during the young age when it matters.

Just because others are not effected it doesnt mean all cricketers have same body. Some come from villiages nad have the proper villiage diet.

The guy has worked hard tp be a cricketer and its a miracle that he plays for Pakistan. Its all down to his own hard work.

 

[Rana]

One little difference, Shadab did not sell his country for some pounds. Amir deserve what happened to him & PCB should have been strict in the first place & should not have allowed him to make a comeback.

I can understand the anger but Amir really was naive and put in a terribly awkward situation by his seniors at the time

Cut him some slack. The door of Tauba is never closed. We should just hope that he has learned from a big mistake that has cost him too much as it is.

From a strictly cricketing POV. Amir seemed to be very happy with the way Mickey Arthur was handling his workload and his commitments to T20 franchise leagues etc. Everything changed for him when Misbah “I know better than everyone” ul Haq took over and seemed to have it in for Amir.

People here defended Misbah for his strict/stringent stance on full availability for all formats but then they should also stay consistent on Shadab as well.

 

[IMMY69]

I think T20 leagues should have a certain criteria for retaining players.
In this instance, as it's a thread related to Shadab, a player should have played a certain amount of first class cricket.

I know that leagues pick up unknown players and can pick up gems and make them in to stars where ordinarily they wouldn't have had the opportunity in cricket. But say they pick up an unknown quantity, they should have it written in to their contract that they have to play X amount of first class cricket per annum.

This way Test cricket may also have a chance to survive.

 

[Rana]

I think T20 leagues should have a certain criteria for retaining players.
In this instance, as it's a thread related to Shadab, a player should have played a certain amount of first class cricket.

I know that leagues pick up unknown players and can pick up gems and make them in to stars where ordinarily they wouldn't have had the opportunity in cricket. But say they pick up an unknown quantity, they should have it written in to their contract that they have to play X amount of first class cricket per annum.

This way Test cricket may also have a chance to survive.

Yeah I don’t think the corporate world works like that

No one wants to pick Hurairas, Bangalzais and Haseebullah for their franchises just because they have done enough graft in domestics

Money is the boss. Making more money is the goal

Shadab= Money

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I think T20 leagues should have a certain criteria for retaining players.
In this instance, as it's a thread related to Shadab, a player should have played a certain amount of first class cricket.

Many of us fans would agree with your idea but think of it from a players perspective - why should someone who does not have the skills for FC but can excel at T20 be forced to play this format as a tick box excercise?

In Shadabs case he doesn't possess the skillset or fitness to cut it as a test level leg spin bowler.

If he improves his batting he could perhaps make it as a batting all rounder in the format.

On a sidenote there is one bowler who possess the skillset to make it into the test team ( he will deffo need to work on control and execution) and thats Usman Qadir!

 

[Rana]

Many of us fans would agree with your idea but think of it from a players perspective - why should someone who does not have the skills for FC but can excel at T20 be forced to play this format as a tick box excercise?

This is what the PCB is currently doing and this is why a lot of cr@p players are coming through into the national side

 

[IMMY69]

Yeah I don’t think the corporate world works like that

No one wants to pick Hurairas, Bangalzais and Haseebullah for their franchises just because they have done enough graft in domestics

Money is the boss. Making more money is the goal

Shadab= Money

As a businessman I would want to have a large pool of talent to choose from as they will be my biggest assets.
The only sustainable way to have a pool of players to pick from is by strengthening the first class system.
You want players to participate in FCC not withdraw from it to only play in Franchise cricket because in the long run that will just kill the game and your own interests

 

[DeadlyVenom]

This is what the PCB is currently doing and this is why a lot of cr@p players are coming through into the national side

I think we should reduce our priority on tests and focus solely on T20 and ODIs.

The PCB should also start to place more priorities on the shorter formats.

I have come to this realisation after a long time watching and defending test cricket.

The joy that we got in the last few months during the asia cup, england series, tri series and wc was unparalleled. Going forward, I don't think any test series can compare. Bear in mind we lost most of those tournaments I mentioned yet the fans were still transfixed.

No point the PCB flogging a dead horse. We dont have the cricketing culture to sustain both like Australia and England have, nor do we have the wealth to plough back into the long format like India have.

I now prefer that Shadab brings us joy and glory in the LOI formats instead of forcing a square peg into a round hole just for the sake of cricketing tradition.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

As a businessman I would want to have a large pool of talent to choose from as they will be my biggest assets.
The only sustainable way to have a pool of players to pick from is by strengthening the first class system.
You want players to participate in FCC not withdraw from it to only play in Franchise cricket because in the long run that will just kill the game and your own interests

As a businessman if you want to produce Ferraris you can't rely on a Nissan Micra production line.

 

[IMMY69]

As a businessman if you want to produce Ferraris you can't rely on a Nissan Micra production line.

Or
You can start to produce Nissan Micras on a Ferrari Production line...

The entire system improves of you invest in first class cricket, from wickets, grounds to players.
If the stars of Franchise leagues play FC Cricket then what does that do for competition in FC Cricket?

 

[Amjid Javed]

Shadab is only player around at moment where is batting is at a decent level and he could be seen as a batting all rounder. The rest of players touted having batting skills resembling tail enders when it comes to test format.

 

[Major]

I think T20 leagues should have a certain criteria for retaining players.
In this instance, as it's a thread related to Shadab, a player should have played a certain amount of first class cricket.

I know that leagues pick up unknown players and can pick up gems and make them in to stars where ordinarily they wouldn't have had the opportunity in cricket. But say they pick up an unknown quantity, they should have it written in to their contract that they have to play X amount of first class cricket per annum.

This way Test cricket may also have a chance to survive.

umm no.

Why should a player get injured in first class cricket when he can play only limited overs.

When a guy has an issue with bowling longer spells, why force him to just for our own enteratainment? at the end of the day, its his career not ours

 

[Major]

^ Why has he not played FC cricket for a while? Why has he only played 11 FC matches since his professional debut?

It seems no one wants to ask these questions.

because of strength issues. THe answer is there, you just choose to ignore it and want to critisize the player

 

[IMMY69]

umm no.

Why should a player get injured in first class cricket when he can play only limited overs.

When a guy has an issue with bowling longer spells, why force him to just for our own enteratainment? at the end of the day, its his career not ours

Then we'll eventually see the death of Test Cricket or at least an extremely poor version of it.
if all. you're in to is limited overs cricket then thats all fine and dandy until the pool of players reduces dramatically and you're left with few players for franchise and international T20's.

This could be in the next ten years or the next twenty years but thats the road we're going down.

 

[greatest]

Then we'll eventually see the death of Test Cricket or at least an extremely poor version of it.
if all. you're in to is limited overs cricket then thats all fine and dandy until the pool of players reduces dramatically and you're left with few players for franchise and international T20's.

This could be in the next ten years or the next twenty years but thats the road we're going down.

Yes you're right!
If the best available players don't want to play Test Cricket then the public and corporations will also not bother getting involved in it.

 

[Major]

Then we'll eventually see the death of Test Cricket or at least an extremely poor version of it.
if all. you're in to is limited overs cricket then thats all fine and dandy until the pool of players reduces dramatically and you're left with few players for franchise and international T20's.

This could be in the next ten years or the next twenty years but thats the road we're going down.

And shadab isnt responsible for that.

Just for the sake of test cricket you cant play a player who doesnt have the required strength for it.

Saving the format is not even pcbs job, its iccs job not the players.

 

[Rana]

And shadab isnt responsible for that.

Just for the sake of test cricket you cant play a player who doesnt have the required strength for it.

Saving the format is not even pcbs job, its iccs job not the players.

Lol what required strength? The one Fawad Alam has?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I agree with OP. Very hard to respect a player in his 20s or even early 30s who loses his ambition for test cricket.

But even if you do away with respect, the PCB should clarify why he’s not selected.

Even Hardik Pandya stays away from test cricket for obvious reasons but that doesn't stop people from calling him the best allroundrr in the world.

 

[IMMY69]

And shadab isnt responsible for that.

Just for the sake of test cricket you cant play a player who doesnt have the required strength for it.

Saving the format is not even pcbs job, its iccs job not the players.

It's not just test cricket though.
Eventually it will be the death of cricket as we know it.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Or
You can start to produce Nissan Micras on a Ferrari Production line...

The entire system improves of you invest in first class cricket, from wickets, grounds to players.
If the stars of Franchise leagues play FC Cricket then what does that do for competition in FC Cricket?

FC cricket is dying in Pakistan.

Its a sad reality.

How many QEA games do you watch vs PSL or NT20?

From Shadabs perspective its just not worth it for him (or us) for him to risk injury in a dying format.

 

[Major]

Lol what required strength? The one Fawad Alam has?

Better to read all posts to understand what is being discussed.

Strength and conditioning

 

[Major]

It's not just test cricket though.
Eventually it will be the death of cricket as we know it.

Nd the players and pcb are not responsible for it. Thats iccs headache.

Besides cricket is not dieing. T20 has kept cricket away from dieing.

Test cricket doesnt have viewers, hence its already dead.

 

[IMMY69]

Nd the players and pcb are not responsible for it. Thats iccs headache.

Besides cricket is not dieing. T20 has kept cricket away from dieing.

Test cricket doesnt have viewers, hence its already dead.

My point is that you need to have first class cricket so that you have a pool of players.
Not just for test cricket but for cricket as a whole.

I'm not saying it's specifically with Pakistan Cricket but cricket as a whole, worldwide...
If you take star players out of first class cricket that will eventually kill first class cricket snd that will have a knock on affect on the franchise cricket

 

[ChTab]

I can understand the anger but Amir really was naive and put in a terribly awkward situation by his seniors at the time

Come on. He was not naïve, he exactly knew what he was doing probably he had done similiar things before as wel

Cut him some slack. The door of Tauba is never closed. We should just hope that he has learned from a big mistake that has cost him too much as it is.

Totally the tauba door is never closed & ALLAH will forgive him but he has no place in cricket, especially in Pakistan cricket.

From a strictly cricketing POV. Amir seemed to be very happy with the way Mickey Arthur was handling his workload and his commitments to T20 franchise leagues etc. Everything changed for him when Misbah “I know better than everyone” ul Haq took over and seemed to have it in for Amir.

People here defended Misbah for his strict/stringent stance on full availability for all formats but then they should also stay consistent on Shadab as well.

People have strict stance on Amir because he sold his country, if Shahdab had done same thing people would have been strict with Shahdab as well.

 

[IMMY69]

FC cricket is dying in Pakistan.

Its a sad reality.

How many QEA games do you watch vs PSL or NT20?

From Shadabs perspective its just not worth it for him (or us) for him to risk injury in a dying format.

I'm talking about First Class Cricket in general not just specially in Pakistan.

 

[JibranAnsari]

His last fc was a test match against england in manchester more than rwo years ago , i think it is safe to say that he wont play test match ever.

 

[Major]

My point is that you need to have first class cricket so that you have a pool of players.
Not just for test cricket but for cricket as a whole.

I'm not saying it's specifically with Pakistan Cricket but cricket as a whole, worldwide...
If you take star players out of first class cricket that will eventually kill first class cricket snd that will have a knock on affect on the franchise cricket

And first class crickrt is there.

Bhai you are not understanding the point, when that star cricketer cannot bowl more than 12 overs and gets injured alot,why are you forcing him to play that format.

That star cricketer has issues with strength as i discussed earlier and if he gets injured from first class, he cant play psl or for pakistan in limited overs

There are other players playing first class who wil than play test. Shadab playing or not playing does not effect first class cricket.

Shadab has to look at his own career.

If shadab was fit enough to bowl long spells i would had been the first one to say around here that bring this guy in. He is a great bowler and im his biggest fan aswell as critic.

But i have seen the guy breakdown alot, so there is no point in him being forced in a format where his cricket career ends up being only 1-2 years long.

 

[Major]

FC cricket is dying in Pakistan.

Its a sad reality.

How many QEA games do you watch vs PSL or NT20?

From Shadabs perspective its just not worth it for him (or us) for him to risk injury in a dying format.

Exactly.

No one is seeing from the players pov

 

[IMMY69]

And first class crickrt is there.

Bhai you are not understanding the point, when that star cricketer cannot bowl more than 12 overs and gets injured alot,why are you forcing him to play that format.

That star cricketer has issues with strength as i discussed earlier and if he gets injured from first class, he cant play psl or for pakistan in limited overs

There are other players playing first class who wil than play test. Shadab playing or not playing does not effect first class cricket.

Shadab has to look at his own career.

If shadab was fit enough to bowl long spells i would had been the first one to say around here that bring this guy in. He is a great bowler and im his biggest fan aswell as critic.

But i have seen the guy breakdown alot, so there is no point in him being forced in a format where his cricket career ends up being only 1-2 years long.

I hear you regarding Shadab.
My view has always been that he has huge potential and should play every test match, home and away..
I also understand that he has fitness issues.

If he isn't playing fcc or test cricket due to fitness/injury issues then there is no problem BUT if it's because he prioritises T20's/odi's over test cricket then that I don't agree with.