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[VIDEOS] The puzzle that is Khushdil Shah...

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Nikhil_cric

T20I Star
Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Runs
30,304
He is a player who has a very good skillset. Good ball striker lower down the order. His recent PSL average and SR were around 25 and 184.

Additionally, he was one of the highest wicket takers in the PSL - 16 wickets at an average just under 14 and economy of 6.89.

He is the ideal T20 lower order hitter/5th or 6th bowler.

Why doesn't he bowl more? Or am I missing something?
 
It was a bowlers pitch yesterday and Kushdil Shah struggled mightily like many other batsmen. Don't read too much into yesterday's innings.
 
Champ_Pal said:
It was a bowlers pitch yesterday and Kushdil Shah struggled mightily like many other batsmen. Don't read too much into yesterday's innings.
Click to expand...

The point I'm trying to make is of his allround value. Shadab was the best Pakistani spinner in the PSL but Khusdil was probably the best after that.

But he barely bowls in international cricket. They dont seem to trust him much.
 
He takes 10-15 balls to get going but in those first few balls he can't even rotate strike so gets stuck.

His bowling is under utilized.
 
Have u seen him bowl? He's very average. Yes he took wickets this PSL but it won't happen again.

In batting, he can't hit straight away. He takes ages to get into the zone.
So he isn't suited for the hitter role in T20. He may have better luck in ODIs.

Puzzle solved ☹️
 
His batting is limited in terms of versatility and range of shots.

If you watch most of his innings he relies on a couple of go-to shots.

Regarding his bowling, I'm not convinced he would worry too many of the best batters in the world.
 
This lad is a total misfit in T20 format, In ODI 's he can take few ball to settle down but you don't have that
luxury in T20 format. 2nd his off side game and the way he opens up too early is a pathetic technique for pace and bouncy pitches in Australia.
 
He needs to improve his batting. Seems a bit limited currently.

Regarding bowling, I think he can chip in with an over or two.
 
Either he bats at 4, and builds an innings or we rid. We can't have bats for just 20 balls, it won't work against good attacks.
 
In PSL, he was used in the death overs as a hitter and hitter only. He clearly doesn't seem like someone who should be sent in with 10-12 overs to go in t20is.
 
he played cos hes a lefty, pak tried to change things up but it back fired. think haider will replace his eventually in this tournament.
 
Batted like a talented in the last game only one of Asif Ali or Kushdil should play.
 
He has a first class average of 25 that tells you everything he’ll never be an international level middle order batsman.

In the past Hafeez and Malik used to flop in World Cups but Khushdil is actually below them not sure what the thought process is when selecting players it’s baffling how certain players are picked.
 
He struggles to hit any boundaries along the ground. Maybe aerial shots are risky and if that's all you can do, then you're always going to be hit & miss.
 
Personally i m not impressed with his batting at all. I hate watching him bat every time he walks in he takes too much time and wastes balls and when he tries to hit he get out.. he is more rubbish than asif ali. He is criminal for Pakistan team
 
I'd take Haris Sohail over this guy any day of the week.

In fact Imad Wasim would be a better choice.
 
Saj said:
I'd take Haris Sohail over this guy any day of the week.

In fact Imad Wasim would be a better choice.
Click to expand...

In ODIs yes. Don't think either is a good fit for t20 team. Imad could bat at 5 in t20is though
 
Nawaz has even better figures in domestic cricket so if we use the same yardstick in terms of merit, nawaz is far more rewarding. Same goes for iftiqar
 
Not so impressed with khushdil but if he really need to succeed as a finisher at number 6-7 he need atleast 2-3 good innings at top order maybe at number 3 or 4. That will help him boosting his confidence while batting at 6-7. These kind of opportunities can be given against weaker teams or in the bilateral series which have lesser importance. Finishers are developed and nurtured like this way only about which pakistan think tank have no clue. Some big names who were known as good finishers like dhoni, razzak etc got their confidence boosted from such innings only which they played at number 3 during the start of their careers. No batsman can just succeed in his career by playing entirely at 6-7 unless he is an all-rounder but pakistan is trying to do this with khushdil and asif ali both. They will never develop into a good batsman like this way.
 
You can't have a middle-order batter in your T20 side who needs 10 or 12 balls to find his feet. By that time it could be too late.
 
Khushdil Shah is supposed to be a finisher in this team. Incredibly, his strike-rate in T20Is is 110.31

I mean how can a finisher have a strike-rate of 110?
 
The puzzle is his senseless selection despite doing jack to justify it. If you can solve this puzzle then you’re a true intellectual of our time.
 
The issue is, he’s not an immediate six hitter like Asif but he also doesn’t play good ground strokes to keep up the tempo.

For example shadab and Nawaz aren’t batsmen who can hit from ball one but they’re busy batsmen who usually play and good strike rates. Khushdil seems to need quite a few balls to get started and that’s not good enough for his role.
 
This might still be an unpopular opinion, but if Khushdil is bowling consistently then he at least warrants a place in the XI for the time being. If not, then replace him with Haider Ali.
 
Xoib said:
He takes 10-15 balls to get going but in those first few balls he can't even rotate strike so gets stuck.

His bowling is under utilized.
Click to expand...

That doesn’t fit the bill, so good to be thrown away.

For ODIs , need higher avg which is non-existent.

These bunch (Ifthikar, Khusdil, Asif ) doesn’t fit anywhere in the team in any format with their skill set
They should be happy playing in domestics
 
Saj said:
You can't have a middle-order batter in your T20 side who needs 10 or 12 balls to find his feet. By that time it could be too late.
Click to expand...

Exactly , only Pakistan think tank have such a view.

Babar and Saqlain should be questioned why Haider ali wasn’t given a single chance , when all of these hitters failed for the last 6 games
 
Forum363 said:
The issue is, he’s not an immediate six hitter like Asif but he also doesn’t play good ground strokes to keep up the tempo.

For example shadab and Nawaz aren’t batsmen who can hit from ball one but they’re busy batsmen who usually play and good strike rates. Khushdil seems to need quite a few balls to get started and that’s not good enough for his role.
Click to expand...


Let’s be realistic , Khusdil need time to get going that’s right. Asif ali is a joke , doesn’t even come close to Khusdil

Both along with Ifthikar should be gone.
 
He can't play wrist spin at all, it was very evident in the earlier part of his career. when I watched him against Sodhi and Shamsi. He hasn't improved at all

He can't hit anything over 140kph that cramps him for room without pitching too full or short, also has a problem with well directed bouncer.

Proper tullaybaz
 
Has zero offside game. All his scoring shots are across the line hacks and mows. They work in PSL and domestic but on international level doesn't take long to figure that out and restrict his scoring shots. He has power and hits well when its in his arc but to be an international level finisher/powerhitter he needs lot more work. His bowling is underrated and should be used more often. For now needs to go back to domestic.
 
I don’t think we will khushdil for a long time and rightly so. What a pathetic player along with uncle ifti. Looking toward to seeing kushdil smacking it to all parts in next PSL and then fans going gaga over him to be included in the team lool
 
He is no puzzle

He is stubborn and delusional just like those who are advocating for him to become the best all rounder in Pakistan.

Selfish player!
 
Pakistani tailenders (Naseem, Rauf, Dahani) all played impactful & better than this Joker of the player in this Asia Cup.
Worst ever player to have played for Pakistan and never ever be selected again for Pakistan.
Has a Zero game against Spinners and against Pacer just one Stroke/hack over Long On.
 
Last edited:
ask_analyse_act said:
Well unfit Haris Sohail is miles better than these fake hitters
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t20 has never been Haris Sohail's format. As much as I like him, I won't have him in the team. But yes Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar are a problem. So is the form of Babar and inability of Rizwan to pierce through the gaps in the first 6 overs.
Khushdil and Iftikhar should be dropped from the team.
 
There was no lack of form for both Khushdil and Iftikhar in the tournament. This is how they play when they are in form as well. Need to be let go from this format.
 
There is no puzzle -
He is rubbish and needs to be booted out..
 
Honestly this thread is nonsense. The only puzzle about KS is how he can be selected again and again. He’s not even bits and pieces. His game comprises a couple of lusty blows and out. The minute the ball swings or he’s up against a quality attack he falters.
 
The only puzzle is how this guy plays international cricket. What has he ever done in international cricket? He is meant to be a hitter but has a strike rate of like 110. He is rubbish.
 
Khushdil to be axed Sarfraz will be incl. Not sure it's good or bad but atleast Sarfraz is a better batsman than Khushdil and can strike big
 
It's not a puzzle.

Look at his T20I strike-rate, that gives you all the answers.
 
Probably (along with Iftikhar) the worst player to ever represent Pakistan.

If he’s international material, anyone is.
 
mediocre village hack, just like Asif Ali, Nawaz and ifti, yet pakistan wants to use these useless players in white ball formats.
 
I hate to make judgements too quickly because some players need time and confidence to show their worth. I have watched enough of this guy to say that he is a truly dreadful player.
 
Khushdil Shah's updated T20I strike-rate is now 109.13 after his innings of 5 off 7 balls today
 
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Must be the most useless “power hitter” in the world. He can only put away balls that even a number eleven can dispatch to the boundary.
 
Kushdil is going through bad form at the moment. He is batting way to low in the order at 7 or 8. He needs to be treated as one of the main batters in the team and asked to bat @4 or 5 at the lowest. By playing consistently at those position, you will see far better performances from him. He needs opportunities to play at the right position. Give the guy a chance, it’s only his 1st year in international cricket.
 
Fielding - well was a puzzle too!

2EdBPpT.png
 
he used to be a good bowler in PSL why he is not bowling since asia cup and now here what's the reason.
 
MenInG said:
Fielding - well was a puzzle too!

2EdBPpT.png
Click to expand...

This was just ridiculously bad. You can’t get a worse dropped catch.

For goodness sake bring anyone in place of this hack. Mohammed Haris, Asif Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Harris Sohail, heck even Imam ul Haq or Abdullah Shafiq. Literally anyone will be better than this terrible terrible player.
 
I have no idea what exactly he is doing in the team and being persisted with.
 
He is not good enough at the international level. Despite an extended run in and around the national team with access to NCA and batting coaches like M Yousaf there has been no improvement. He is still a mediocre player with a poor technique who will fail more often than succeed. They need to try someone else in that position. Imad Wasim would at least score more runs in his spot.
 
And someone said he’s worth his spot in the team just for his fielding. Dear oh dear
 
It might have been an unpopular opinion and in hindsight rightly so but I believed Khushdil had the ability to be the finisher we needed.

He was brutal in this year's PSL and I can remember multiple times were he took on experienced bowlers to the cleaners- Jordan and Wahab come to mind.

To be fair glimpses of his hitting ability were seen vs Australia and the Windies earlier this year, however in T20is he's been a total flop. it doesn't also help that Babar seems reluctant to give him a few overs even though he is more than handy with the ball

However with all that said I think it's time to stop investing in Khushdil and look towards someone else
 
cricenjoyer said:
It might have been an unpopular opinion and in hindsight rightly so but I believed Khushdil had the ability to be the finisher we needed.

He was brutal in this year's PSL and I can remember multiple times were he took on experienced bowlers to the cleaners- Jordan and Wahab come to mind.

To be fair glimpses of his hitting ability were seen vs Australia and the Windies earlier this year, however in T20is he's been a total flop. it doesn't also help that Babar seems reluctant to give him a few overs even though he is more than handy with the ball

However with all that said I think it's time to stop investing in Khushdil and look towards someone else
Click to expand...

Thank God, you ended your post on a high note!
 
Hanging on for Pakistan and could well get a big score - then what for his detractors?
 
Hardly convincing again.

Limited batter I'm afraid.
 
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