Not too long ago Shadab Khan was a certainty in Pakistan’s World Cup squad, but a disappointing Asia Cup campaign has put a question mark on the vice-captain’s inclusion for the showpiece event. Shadab went on to pick only six wickets as Pakistan crashed out of the Asia Cup in the Super 4 stage. Four out of the six wickets of Shadab came against Nepal. While only two of wickets came against India and Sri Lanka.
Pak skipper Babar Azam is mighty disappointed with few of senior players performances, and Shadab is one of them. Abrar Ahmed is in in fray to be included in the WC squad.
According to GeoNews, a few administrative changes are also being considered by the board. “During their meeting, the chief selector and the skipper also discussed the fitness problems and bad form of the important players,” the report added.
Abrar Ahmed shot into the limelight during the Test series against England. The leg-spinner is quicker through the air than Shadab and has an air of mystery surrounding him. The youngster has played only Test format, playing six matches and picking 38 wickets. His instant success in the longer format and now made chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq quite happy.
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Abrar Ahmed: Shadab Khan likely to be stripped from vice-captaincy, Abrar in fray for WC inclusion
While Shadab might not be dropped from the WC squad, reports are rife that the leg spinner will be removed from the vice-captaincy post. Shaheen Shah Afridi is tipped to take over the vice-captaincy mantle owing to his impressive show in the Asia Cup as the leader of the bowling attack.
Chief selector Inzamam and skipper Babar Azam are soon to hold a meeting with PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf and a decision will be taken considering his approval. Apart from Shadab, opening batter Fakhar Zaman’s place is also in doubt. The southpaw failed to score even a single fifty in the Asia Cup. Naseem Shah is also likely to be ruled out of WC.
Hasan Ali, & Zaman Khan are in contention to replace Naseem Shah. Haris Rauf is expected to be fit for the WC. Pakistan will leave for WC on September 25.
Editors pick
