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Pakistan's star all-rounder and vice-captain Shadab Khan opened up about his struggles in the current ODI World Cup 2023 during a pre-match press-conference ahead of big game against South Africa. Candidly discussing his form, he accepted that his performance hasn't been on par with expectations, especially considering his reputation as an all-rounder capable of excelling in every situation of the game.
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Addressing the media before the crucial match against South Africa, Shadab stated, “I have been fairly criticised since I have not been able to perform well. An all-rounder should do well in all three departments of the game.”
Notably, pressure is mounting on Pakistan who have suffered a hat-trick of defeats in the tournament after notching two wins in their initial two games. But the defeat which shattered Pakistan's confidence came when Afghanistan shocked them by eight wickets. However, Shadab remains positive, expressing confidence in the team's ability to bounce back.
“We know how to get out of bad positions. All matches are do-or-die for us but I’m hopeful that better days will start from tomorrow,” he voiced.
Statistics paint a clear picture of Shadab's struggles. In the tournament so far, he's managed to secure only two wickets across four matches. As far as his batting is concerned Shadab has amassed mere 74 runs in three innings.
Beyond his individual performance, Shadab touched upon the collective challenges faced by the Pakistan bowling unit during the World Cup. He admitted, “The teams who bowls well will go deep in the tournament. Our bowling has not been up to the mark in the tournament so far. Hopefully, our bowlers will put up a better show in the remaining matches.”
In light of recent media speculation questioning the unity of the Pakistan cricket team, Shadab was quick to dispel any rumors. He added, “Our team is united and we aren’t focusing on what people are saying about us.”
Furthermore, he mentioned their decision to distance themselves from potential distractions, particularly social media. “We also don’t follow social media much. It’s better if we stay away from it,” the star all-rounder said.
Looking forward, the stakes are high for the Pakistan team as they have a task cut out with must-win matches lined up against South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and England. It is mandatory for Pakistan to win these games if they aim to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Currently, Pakistan find themselves in a precarious fifth position on the points table, with just four points after playing five games.
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