Pakistan cricketer Shadab Khan has spoken about various aspects of the team’s preparations ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, including strike rate, rotation policy, player roles, and the vice-captaincy.
Speaking to media, Shadab emphasized the importance of strike rate in modern cricket, particularly against strong opposition.
“Strike rate is very important and we are trying [to improve it]. We have to play with a good strike rate against big teams. I believe that the team that scores more boundaries in a match has better chances to win,” Shadab told media on Tuesday.
The 25 year-old also spoke about the absence of experienced all-rounder Imad Wasim in the first three T20Is against New Zealand due to the rotation policy in place.
“It was part of the rotation policy. Management had already talked to all the players. So according to the rotation policy Imad Wasim might get a game now,” he further added.
Shadab highlighted the need to establish clear batting positions for players to maintain consistency and continuity in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.
“We have to sort out the number of each player as soon as possible so that they can be given a consistent run before the World Cup,” he said.
Shadab also expressed confidence in Pakistan’s squad, asserting that the team has the potential to win the World Cup if they find the right combination and play with continuity.
“I believe we have the team that can win the World Cup and we should make the combination that could play with continuity. There are nine more matches [before the World Cup], we should make the combination,” Shadab noted.
Lastly, regarding the vice-captaincy role, Shadab clarified that the decision rests with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management.
“I am not the vice-captain; the PCB management will decide about that,” he concluded.
According to reports, Mohammad Rizwan, who led Multan Sultans to PSL 9 final, is the leading contender for the vice-captaincy role.
Some officials within the board also view Shadab as a viable candidate for vice-captaincy, citing him leading Islamabad United to their third PSL title and his stint as Pakistan’s T20I captain in Babar Azam’s absence last year.
