Pakistan have produced fast-bowling wonders like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, etc., throughout their rich cricketing history. But there have been very few significant spinners that have made an impact in the international circuit for Pakistan. Saqlain Mushtaq or maybe Saeed Ajmal are two names that come to mind while talking about Pakistani spinners but were able to make a mark in white-ball cricket, especially in the T20s.
In the shortest format, Shadab Khan is Pakistan’s most reliable spinner. Shadab made his debut in 2017 and has played 63 matches since then. He has picked 73 wickets at an astonishing economy rate of 7.08. Shadab’s bowling career has boomed over the last year, and his ability to keep things tight and also pick wickets in the middle overs has benefitted the Pakistani squad immensely. With experience, Shadab has established himself as Pakistan’s top spinner in the shortest format of the game.
Shadab over the years
During the early stages of his career, Shadab was primarily a bowling all-rounder, and his leg-spin wasn’t talked about a lot. But he showcased a spark with his leg-spin abilities as he was able to pick crucial wickets at regular intervals. He was a proper leg spinner, and on his day, could outperform all the other bowlers. But his main problem was his inconsistency, especially in his lengths.
During 2019 and 2020, Shadab went through a rough patch. In 2019, he picked up just four wickets at 8.73 RPO whereas, in 2020, he picked up seven wickets at 8.66 RPO.
But this year, Shadab has looked at his personal best. Shadab showed signs of consistency against top teams like India and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup. He was the prime spinner during the T20 World Cup, and his ability to bowl economically proved wonders for the Pakistani team as he was one of the reasons for their great run in the World Cup.
Shadab’s incredible performance against top teams
Fast bowlers have stepped up for Pakistan against top teams in International Cricket. But none of their spinners could support their fast-bowling attack during crunch matches, and it was one of their main reasons for their losses in big matches of big tournaments. Shadab has proved to be the important piece of this puzzle and has improved this factor of the Pakistani bowling unit.
He has been performing comprehensively against top teams like New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. His economy rate against these teams is below 7, proving his caliber in the shortest format.
Conclusion
Shadab has outshone his fellow teammates in the bowling department in the shortest format of the game. He has been one of Pakistan’s prime bowlers since his debut, and his performances in the last 12 months have been commendable. Shadab not only has showcased the ability to restrict the flow of runs but has also picked wickets against some of the best teams in the international circuit.
In the recent series against West Indies, Shadab generated some match-winning performances with the ball in hand. He picked up three wickets in two matches and was also the star bowler for Pakistan.
Shadab is still young, and his composure and skill will surely take him a long way ahead. He has the potential to become the next spinning sensation of Pakistan in the shortest format of the game in the coming years. Even though he is young, he has shown great signs of maturity, and that is likely to help him reach greater heights.