Pakistan's crowd is pathetic claims Shadab Khan as Karachi chants Babar's name infront of Imad Wasim

Imad Wasim might have had a PSL 9 league stage to forget but he made amends just in time to show up and contribute for Islamabad United in the knockout stages of the tournament. His performance since the final league stage match against Multan Sultans has been very impressive and that intrigued his captain Shadab Khan to call him the best all-rounder around in the game despite his international retirement last year.

While speaking to the press reporters last night after the 5-wicket win at the National Stadium in Karachi, Shadab Khan appreciated the efforts of Imad Wasim who claimed back-to-back man of the match awards. Wasim played out a splendid half-century knock to grab the win against Peshawar Zalmi in Eliminator 2 to set up a meeting with Mohammad Rizwan’s Multan side in the final tomorrow.

Shadab Khan says Islamabad United are lucky to have Imad Wasim

Shadab Khan was asked to reflect on Imad Wasim’s all-round performance in the season and there he stated that he is one of the best in the business and that United is lucky to have someone like him. Shadab highlighted Wasim’s contribution in the knockout games against Quetta Gladiators 2 days ago and Peshawar Zalmi yesterday.

Imad Wasim had walked away as man of the match against Gladiators for registering bowling figures of 3/12 and against Zalmi, he displayed what he’s capable of with the bat as well.

“He (Wasim) is one of the best all-rounders of the world and mashallah the way he dragged us during the knockout games through his absolute brilliance is commendable, he is one of the best in the world and we are lucky that he is a part of our team so a captain cannot desire of anything else than that.” – Shadab Khan told reporters in Karachi. 

Then he was asked to shed light on Imad Wasim’s possible return to the Pakistani team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in June in the USA and West Indies. The left-hand batter had announced retirement from the national side last year with his final appearance for the Green Army coming in April 2023 during a T20I series against New Zealand.

To that, Shadab Khan revealed that he spoke with Imad during his retirement and that he didn’t want him to hang his boots internationally as he is a great asset to the team. Shadab also highlighted Imad’s experience of playing in conditions on offer at West Indies, which he gained by playing a lot of Caribbean Premier League matches. He was also hopeful that Imad would return for the World Cup as the team needed him.

“Yes, definitely I would want that. I had a word with him when he took the decision (retirement) and I really didn’t want him to go because Pakistan needs players like him and god willing hopefully he returns for the World Cup as he is in a good form. He has a good amount of experience in those conditions through rigorous outings in the CPL and yes absolutely Pakistan needs him.” – Shadab added. 

Shadab sheds light on Imad Wasim being taunted by fans through “Babar-Babar” chants

Then Shadab Khan was asked about Imad Wasim being taunted by the local crowd through “Babar-Babar” chants whenever the all-rounder was fielding around the boundary ropes. Shadab stated that it’s a shame a player has to go through this and that if he was in his place he would have felt really bad.

After Wasim guided Islamabad to the 5-wicket win last night along with Haider Ali, the former was even heard using foul language to reply to that sect of fans in the stands.

“See, I didn’t speak to Imad about it, but if the same had happened to me I would have felt really bad. It feels sad because he has been playing for Pakistan for a long time and has performed as well and the thing that our crowd did was not good, I feel for him.” – Shadab concluded.