PAK vs WI: Babar Azam Labeled Me A "Buddha" - Pakistan All-Rounder Shadab Khan Got "Motivated'' After Captain's Remark

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan claimed skipper Babar Azam’s ‘buddha’ remark had provided him a lot of incentive in seeking to accomplish maximum fitness levels after turning in a match-winning effort with both bat and ball.

Shadab was named Player of the Match after leading Pakistan to a 53-run victory over West Indies in the third one-day international, completing a 3-0 series whitewash.

Because of the challenges he often had playing following his injury, the leg-spinner, who is a capable hitter down the pecking order, said skipper Babar Azam had referred him to an elderly person.

“After Babar Azam labeled me a ‘buddha’ [old man], I received a great deal more drive.” It’s tough to play correctly after being hurt, which is why he nicknamed me a buddha,” Shadab explained.

After the hosts opted to bat first and their top order struggled against the surprise off-spin of Nicholas Pooran, who ended with 4-48 in 10 overs on Sunday, Shadab’s career-best 86 off 78 balls helped Pakistan reach 269-9.

‘I have been working hard at the National High-Performance Center’: Babar Azam

Shadab stated he’s been working on improving his level of fitness after receiving criticism in the past.

“I’ve been making progress at the National High-Performance Center to bowl extra overs because it was challenging for me to bowl after I got hurt.” “Hopefully, I’ll continue to put in the effort and attempt to develop,” he remarked.

Before being clean dismissed by Jayden Seales with a brilliant yorker in the penultimate over, Shadab appeared to be on his way to his first ODI century.

When questioned about his attitude after coming in to bat, Shadab remarked, “It was a stressful scenario, and I and Khushdil Shah intended to take it easy till the second powerplay, and then we’d try to do our best after the 38th over in two-over power play.”

Shadab Khan’s superb all-round effort guided Pakistan to a dominant 53-run victory and a 3-0 series victory, giving their World Cup qualification chances a big boost.

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