Shadab Khan, who serves as the vice-captain of the Pakistan cricket team, acknowledged his recent dip in bowling performance but emphasized his unwavering belief in his skills.
In a press conference held in Hyderabad, Shadab Khan addressed his recent struggles, saying, “I do understand that my recent form is not good, but I have the skills.” He attributed his recent performance to a mental slump and expressed confidence that he would bounce back. Khan has secured 13 wickets in 11 ODIs this year, with four of those wickets coming in a fixture against Nepal during the Asia Cup.
Reflecting on the Asia Cup, where he faced challenges, Khan said, “From a cricketing point of view, the Asia Cup didn’t go well, but that’s the beauty of cricket: you learn from your mistakes.” He emphasized the mental aspect of the game, stating, “I believe it’s no more a skill game but a mental game, and it’s the World Cup. You can make good decisions when you are relaxed mentally.”
Shadab Khan also showed support for fellow teammate Fakhar Zaman, who has struggled with his batting form. Khan lauded Zaman as a key player for the team, highlighting his ability to win matches. He expressed confidence in Zaman’s skills, calling him a world-class player.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Shadab Khan emphasized the need for teams to quickly adapt to different conditions across various venues in India and maintain high fitness levels. He noted that fitness would be a concern for all teams in the tournament, citing the loss of key bowler Naseem Shah to injury.
Khan concluded by emphasizing the importance of bowling in the tournament, stating, “the team that bowls well will win the World Cup.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by flat tracks and small boundaries but expressed confidence in Pakistan’s world-class bowling unit, believing that their performance would lead them to championship victory.
