Shadab Khan Leaves BBL Contract In Order To Play Red-Ball Cricket, Reveals Reason

Pakistan’s spin bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan has decided to give up his Big Bash League (BBL) contract to prioritize four-day cricket. The reason for this decision is to enhance his bowling skills and make a comeback in Pakistan’s red-ball team. In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Shadab Khan explained his decision to part ways with the Big Bash contract this year.

“The purpose behind leaving the Big Bash contract is to first improve my bowling by playing four-day cricket, and secondly, to perform well and make a comeback into the Test team,” Shadab said. The 25-year-old spin all-rounder stressed the need for improvement in his bowling and he believes that participating in the red-ball format of the game will have a significant contribution to his overall skill development as a leg-spinner.

“I didn’t leave the Big Bash contract because of playing national T20; rather, my focus was more on playing four-day cricket. Because I felt that I needed improvement in my bowling, and that would come through playing four-day cricket,” he further added.

Shadab Khan Is Aiming To Play The T20 World Cup In 2024

Moreover, Shadab Khan also expressed his will to improve himself as a bowler and is keen on regaining his form after a horrendous World Cup campaign in India which ended last month. “I have tried to invest in myself to play four-day cricket and improve my bowling. If my bowling improves, and along with that, if my batting also improves, it will be beneficial for the Pakistan team,” Shadab explained.

Shadab Khan stated that he looks at playing four-day cricket as an investment in his skills and as a strategic move, aligning his goals with the upcoming T20 World Cup. “The effort is to improve myself through four-day cricket and bring back my form. Because the World Cup is approaching, and if I am in good form, it will benefit Pakistan,” he concluded.

Shadab Khan was one of the worst performers for Pakistan in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He is not a part of Pakistan’s test squad currently touring Australia. Shadab has not played test cricket since 2020 but has been a regular member of the white-ball team.

He is determined to make a comeback to the Pakistan national cricket team after an unsuccessful World Cup campaign and playing four-day cricket will help him him a lot in writing his comeback. The longer format is a great way to improve one’s skillset.