Shadab Khan returns as Pakistan name T20I squad for Sri Lanka series

[CricVet]

Shadab selection is the reason why people get accused of being Parchi.

His performance prior to getting declared as injured, was unsatisfactory being a T20 bowler. His batting was OKish. After playing a few BB games, no board would have selected him based on a few decent performancees - BUT only in Pakistan. His selection over Muqeem is a typical PCB parchi culture.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

I think the shoulder injuries were huge for Shadab and we have even seen him change his action to accommodate those shoulder injuries and it badly affected his bowling. In recent years, it just seemed like he couldn't bowl a good googly anymore. The line/length issues to some degrees exist with any leg spinner but that googly used to be a big weapon for him earlier in his career when he was bowling well. Shoulder injuries can be brutal and we have seen Naseem suffer from the same fate as Shadab. I truly hope surgery has fixed his shoulder injuries.

Based on some of the recent BBL clips, we are starting to see some resemblance of the same googly he once had. If he is truly healthy and back to what he used to be, he at least deserves a look to see if he can prove himself and make it to the WC squad. At the end of the day, there is literally no other leg spinning allrounder Pakistan have and if Shadab can be that for you, it's worth giving a look. Only other option they barely have for him is Saad Masood and he has been MIA since emerging Asia Cup.

Worst case Shadab gets a look, does poorly and you know for sure he won't be on the WC squad. But the upside is you get a true difference maker who nearly won player of tournament in 22' WC and if he is back to that level, you at least need to give it a chance.

Fully agree, and in any case the proof will be in his performances in the Sri Lanka bilaterals.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

While I appreciate the honesty regarding the contradiction in your argument, I disagree that the post-WC period is 'lower pressure.' Usually, after a major tournament, is when the PCB is at it's most volatile as coaching staff changes, captaincy shifts, and 'clean-up' operations are the norm.

Maaz might actually find more stability debuting now under a set leadership group than in the chaotic rebuilding phase that inevitably follows a World Cup. If he’s good enough, he’s old enough.

Giving him the Aus series actually gives him a 'license to fail' before the big stage. If he holds his own against the competent Aussies, he walks into that World Cup feeling ten feet tall. That kind of confidence is worth more than a year of 'protected' development.

If we wait, we aren't just protecting him; we are potentially leaving a hole in our WC lineup that could be the difference between a semi-final and an early exit. If he has the talent, the best time to blood him is when the stakes are clear and the current management is still fully invested in his success.

@KingOfPakBreakfast

So you agree?

 

[Obaidd]

Shady is a centrally contracted player in category B (highest for active players). It was always on the cards that he’d return to the squad once he regains fitness.

Interesting to read that folks still see him as a bowler first. I think his bowling is a gone case, I won’t ask him to bowl 4 overs in an imp match. I’d like to see him tried at 5 with more batting responsibility and lesser bowling duties. He used to be a gun fielder and is an experienced head on the field. Ticks quite a few boxes just don’t trust him to bowl full quota of overs. Give him a more defined role with a focus on batting and I think he’s going to come good.

On the other hand, if he doesn’t have a fixed batting number and he’s also expected to bowl the full quota then we know that’s not going to bring the best out of him.