Ahead of the much-anticipated ICC World Cup 2023, commencing October 5, Pakistan's vice-captain Shadab Khan has shared his admiration for two standout players from the Indian cricket team. With Pakistan warming up for the World Cup, having recently played a match against New Zealand on September 29, they're gearing up for their next encounter with Australia on October 3 in Hyderabad.
The last face-off between Shadab Khan and the Indian team took place during the Super 4s stage of the Asia Cup 2023. Even though the Men in Blue set a daunting total of 356/2, Shadab's spell during the match resulted in a notable figure of 1/71 in his 10 overs. He couldn't leave a mark with the bat, contributing only 6 runs. Throughout the Asia Cup, Shadab showcased his skills, claiming a total of 6 wickets in 5 matches, with an exceptional 4/27 against Nepal being his best.
The journey for the Pakistan team in the World Cup begins on October 6 when they take on the Netherlands in Hyderabad. They are slated to compete against Sri Lanka in the same city on October 10. However, all eyes are set on the blockbuster match scheduled for October 14 in Ahmedabad, where arch-rivals India and Pakistan will battle it out.
In a recent interaction, Shadab Khan opened up about his admiration for certain Indian cricketers. He expressed high regard for Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, known for his impeccable batting prowess. Furthermore, Khan also highlighted his fondness for India's spin maestro, Kuldeep Yadav.
"As a batter, I really like Rohit Sharma. He’s very difficult and dangerous to bowl to once he’s set. Among the bowlers, I like Kuldeep because I’m also a leg-spinner. It’s very difficult to bowl on flat tracks in these conditions," Shadab Khan said in the press conference.
While Shadab refrained from bowling during the warm-up clash against New Zealand, cricket aficionados will be keen to see him in action, possibly refining his skills in the upcoming match against Australia on October 3. As teams prepare and strategize, the World Cup promises to be a cricketing fiesta, full of thrilling performances and nail-biting finishes.
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