Shadab Khan's Power-Hitting Has Gone Completely Missing; He Should Have A Profile Like Hardik Pandya: Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan opener Ramiz Raja has questioned Shadab Khan’s role in the team following the national team’s nine-wicket loss to England in the first ODI in Cardiff. Pakistan’s white-ball tour of England did not start in a promising fashion as they managed only 141 runs while batting first, with the hosts chasing 142 easily. Ramiz Raja believes that Shadab Khan’s batting should be at the peak now and needs to be like Hardik Pandya.

Though Shadab Khan was the second-highest run-scorer for Pakistan during their first ODI with 30, he needed to play an instrumental role with the bat. The leg-spinner, a hugely capable batsman, walked in after Sohaib Maqsood threw way his wicket after a promising start. Shadab shared brief partnerships with Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, and Shaheen Afridi, but nothing significant. He was the ninth wicket to fall as he pulled one from Craig Overton to square leg.

Ramiz Raja questioned Shadab Khan’s role in the batting line-up as to whether he is a power-hitter or a guardian. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that Shadab could have played rather calmly as there were plenty of overs to go and that his power-hitting has gone through a rusty period. Raja underlined that as a youngster, this should be his peak; however, the case is different.

“I don’t understand Shadab’s batting. What is his role when he comes out to bat? Is he a savior or a power hitter? Today he could have played easily because they had a lot of overs in the bank. But generally, his batting is going through a rusty period. He should have a profile like Hardik Pandya. He is a power hitter who scores quick fifties. Shadab’s power-hitting has completely gone missing which is saddening because he is so young. This should be his peak time. But we don’t see that kind of batting from him and he needs a lot of work. In this batting lineup Shadab has more value as a power hitter,” Raja told in his Youtube channel.

There was no fighting ability from Pakistan: Ramiz Raja

Ramiz Raja further claimed that at no stage it seemed like Pakistan would reach a fighting total. The 58-year old conceded that Pakistan’s bowling attack, which looks to have plenty of potential, lacked the sting too. He pointed out that the tourists kept feeding the batsmen and brought them in form.

“Nowhere did it seem like Pakistan would extend their total to at least a fighting one. There was no fighting ability. Pakistan’s bowling has always been an advantage. The whole world agrees that it has potential. But they lost by nine wickets and applied no pressure. They kept feeding the batsmen. This is another specialty of Pakistan that they bring out of form players back in form,” he added.

Also Read: Mahmudullah Makes Shock Decision To Retire From Test Cricket