Home
Pakistan’s out-of-favour batter Khushdil Shah has opened up on facing snub from selectors. After his first notable knock of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, Khushdil said that he is different from anyone and doesn’t crib about getting dropped on social media. He said that he has done well in domestic cricket but continues to be ignored from Pakistan’s squad.
“I'm different from everyone else. I'm not on social media, nor do I hold grudges that I was treated unfairly," Khushdil told the broadcasters after Karachi Kings' win over Lahore Qalandars.
"I've recently scored 700-800 runs at No. 5 and 6, scored a double hundred, and played some big innings. Yet, after all this, I was dropped from the team."
In the run chase of 200, Khushdil played a whirlwind knock to get his team over the line. From just 14 deliveries, he smashed five sixes and two fours. He remained unbeaten on 44, taking Karachi Kings to a five-wicket win with eight balls to spare. He hit Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi for three sixes and a four in the 18th over. In the penultimate over, he whacked Haris Rauf for two sixes to finish the run chase.
“Warner said that we had to fight until the last ball. He gave me a lot of confidence and told me to take the match till the end and not play any rash shot,” Khushdil said.
“My simple plan was to stay deep in the crease and play,” he added.
Barring the 44-run knock, Khushdil has struggled in the ongoing PSL 2026. From nine innings, he has scored 109 runs at an average of 15.57 and strike rate of 137.97. Before the match-winning knock, Khushdil's scores were 12, 13, 5*, 10, 7, 2, 4, 12.
Khushdil’s last ODI and T20I appearance
Khushdil is yet to make his Test debut. His last ODI appearance was against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixture where he scored 38 runs from 39 balls and picked up the wicket of Shreyas Iyer. His last T20I appearance was against UAE where he was dismissed for a single-digit score.
ADVERTISEMENT
