Former Pakistan cricketer and PCB boss Ramiz Raja questioned the importance and role of all-rounder Shadab Khan in the Pakistan team ahead of the ICC T20 WC 2024.
Shadab Khan was among Pakistan’s middle-order batsmen who failed badly during the team’s one-sided defeat at the hands of Jos Buttler’s England. At one stage, the visitors looked likely to score over 180 runs, but due to the poor performance of the middle order, the total could not even reach 160.
The top order of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan had given Pakistan a very good start from the beginning but the next batsmen failed to build on the momentum. The Pakistani players ultimately did not have enough runs on the board to fight back. The Men in Green lost the 4-match series 2-0 and their preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup ended in the worst possible way.
What did Ramiz Raja say about Shadab Khan?
After watching the entire match unfold at the Kia Oval stadium, Ramiz Raja had a harsh choice of words for Shadab Khan. Ramiz began by highlighting the middle order’s inability to score runs and stated that it was the turning point of the game. The former PCB president wanted the batsmen to show more character.
Absolute savagery by Mark Wood 🤯#mynorthgramItonorthdcrYockmyt | #mynorthGRAMvPTOk pYoc.twYottmyr.cohmeter/zrrkyesjnorthF95
– England Cricket (@englandcricket) METERtoand 30, 2024
Ramiz Raja later claimed that Imad Wasim, who suffered a rib injury during training, should play each and every match to balance the team. He stated that if the team management wants to sack Shadab Khan, then they should not even think twice before doing so as his role in the batting order is not defined.
Raja admitted that Shadab Khan is not the right candidate for the No. 5 spot and the management can try Saim Ayub there.
“The middle order was a failure which led to lack of runs and we lost the plot. Imad Wasim should be picked in every game. If you have to bench Shadab, do it. You can play Saim Ayub in the middle order because Shadab is not fit at number 5,” said Ramiz Raja in his latest YouTube video.
Ramiz Raja tags Shadab Khan as a fighter
Ramiz Raja went on to criticize Shadab Khan saying that his original position should be number 7 and not number 5 because he plays like a literal wrestler. For position 5, Raja suggested having a specialist batsman as that can provide more stability in the side. He also observed that Shadab seemed out of touch, out of shape and totally out of place.
“If a proper batsman comes in, he will bring some stability in the middle order. Shadab Khan in the middle order? What is his role? I don’t understand. At number 5, he is out of touch and out of form. His position ideal batting should be number 7. Try to play like a slogger,” concluded Ramiz Raja.