ICC World Cup 2023: Shadab Khan Is Not Taking Any Wickets: Babar Azam Opens Up On Spinner's Poor Form

Babar Azam-led Pakistan’s campaign in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 came to a disappointing end. The Men in Green were one of the favourites to win the continental championship but crashed out of the tournament after suffering a loss against Sri Lanka on Thursday (September 14) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

It was a virtual semifinal for both the teams and in the end, Sri Lanka prevailed. The defending champions chased down the 252-run target in the allotted 42 overs on the very last ball of the match. Pakistan did well to recover from 130 for 5 to post 252 for 7 thanks to Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten knock of 86. Abdullah Shafique (52) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47) also played crucial knocks for their team.

Pakistan, however, could not defend the total. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis led the charge with the bat with a 91-run knock while Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 48. Sri Lanka lost wickets in heap towards the end but Charith Asalanka remained firm at one end and scored an unbeaten 49 to take his team home.

Babar Azam on Shadab Khan’s poor form:

One of the reasons behind Pakistan’s poor display in the Super 4 games was their spin spearhead Shadab Khan’s sudden decline in form. Even though other spinners made a big impact in friendly conditions in Colombo, the leg-spinner failed to do well. Against Sri Lanka, part-time spinner Iftikhar Ahmed picked up three wickets but Shadab managed just one while also conceding 55 runs in his 9 overs.

The Pakistan star opened his campaign with a 4-wicket haul against Nepal before going wicketless against India and Bangladesh. In the Super 4 game against India, he conceded 71 runs in 10 overs and managed one wicket. With Shadab struggling with his form, captain Babar Azam was asked about the same. In reply, Babar Azam said:

“Shadab is bowling very well but he is not taking any wicket. So that’s why you feel he is not bowling well. He is bowling well by unfortunately he is not taking any wickets. He is one of your best bowlers, Nawaz and Shadab.

“Second thing, yes Zaman Khan has shown character and is doing well in the past, in the PSL and in two PSL finals, where he bowled in the last over. So he has full confidence but international match is a different thing,” added the Pakistan captain after Zaman Khan failed to defend 8 runs in the final over and 6 runs in the last two balls.

Sri Lanka and India will now play the final on Sunday (September 17). Before that, India will take on Bangladesh in the last Super 4 game on Friday.