Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has responded to harsh criticism from former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi after the loss to India by 61 runs in Colombo. Yousuf and Shahid wanted senior players Shadab, Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam dropped for their lacklustre performance against India. While Shadab respects others’ opinion, he feels that anyone can have a bad day on the field.
“Criticism is something we can’t control. Every individual has his own opinion; they are free to have it," Shadab told the media in the post-match press conference.
“I feel that since I have made a comeback, I bowled one bad over, and because of that there is so much criticism. I don’t try to justify it. I can’t control these things. It was a bad day and a bad over. It’s T20 cricket; you can go for runs and take wickets as well. I don’t ponder too much about the criticism."
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Shadab went on to say that the former cricketers resorting to harsh criticism never won a World Cup match against India either. He also pointed out that the Pakistan team of T20 World Cup 2021 featuring Shadab, Babar and Shaheen were the first to beat India in a World Cup event.
“Our ex-cricketers have their own opinions. They have done well for Pakistan, and at the end of the day, they have also never defeated India in the World Cup. We were the ones who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup. In World Cups, we have beaten India only once. Yes, they are legends, but they have never done anything remarkable against India in the World Cup."
Shadab’s all-round show vs Namibia, Babar demoted, Shaheen dropped
While Shaheen was replaced by Salman Mirza in the lineup for must-win Namibia clash, Shadab and Babar retained their place. Babar didn’t get to bat as Khawaja Nafay and Shadab were sent ahead of him. Shadab put on a show with his unbeaten 22-ball 36 featuring three sixes.
Later, he claimed three wickets for just 19 runs in his quota of four overs, including the scalp of Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus. Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs as Pakistan registered a massive 102-run win at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.
Pakistan’s Super 8 opponents, head-to-head vs New Zealand
Pakistan have joined New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka in Super 8. They will go up against the Kiwis on February 21 at Colombo's R.Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan have an upper hand over New Zealand in T20 World Cup history. They have won five out of seven T20 World Cup games against the BlackCaps. Their previous T20 World Cup defeat against New Zealand came in the 2016 edition. The last time they met was in Sydney in the semifinal. Pakistan beat New Zealand by seven wickets.