Shadab Khan in action©AFP
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up about his recent struggles to find form with bat or ball on the international circuit. Shadab had a memorable debut in Lanka Premier League Season 5 with Colombo Strikers, taking a hat-trick in his first match against Kandy Falcons and has thrived in the conditions ever since, taking 16 wickets, the most by a bowler in the LPL this season. With the LPL caravan travelling from Dambulla to Colombo, Shadab recorded his third four-wicket haul of the tournament on Sunday against Jaffna Kings at the R Premadasa Stadium.
As he continues to break records, Shadab opened up about his struggle to get results for the Pakistan team.
“For three months, I was struggling. I had not taken a wicket in my last seven international matches. I came here, started bowling and now I am taking wickets consistently. That’s the beauty of cricket. You have to enjoy such scenarios too… Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But the process you follow has to be consistent,” Shadab said, quoted from an LPL press release.
Reflecting on his debut in the league, Shadab said the form of the bowling favoured spinners, but he went on to add that T20 bowlers need variation to be successful in all conditions.
“The pitch was a little slower and had a little more grip, which was in our favour… But T20 cricket these days is very difficult and 200 is an easy change. As a spinner, you need to have change because on a flat track, if you don’t have change, you can go for runs. But if you have change, you can not only take wickets but also keep the runs down. So, that is very important and also dropping the ball in good areas is important,” Shadab added.
The 25-year-old has stated his intention to contribute as an all-rounder in all areas of the game for his club Colombo Strikers.
“I am performing well for the team, which is a good sign. I am the main bowler. If I get wickets, it is a good sign for me and the team. I want to contribute in all the three phases. As of now, I am contributing in two phases as a bowler and fielder. Hopefully, I can contribute with the bat as well,” Shadab concluded.
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