Shadab Khan Aims for Strong Performance in Men’s ODI World Cup Despite Recent Struggles

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Pakistan’s vice-captain, Shadab Khan, has candidly admitted that his recent cricketing performances have not met his own expectations. However, he is now looking forward to making a significant impact in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup following a period of rest.

Shadab, known for his leg-spin and all-round abilities, has managed to secure just 13 wickets in 11 ODIs this year. His performance in the Asia Cup last month was also less than stellar, where he picked up only six wickets in five matches with an average of 40.83. This contributed to Pakistan’s struggle to take wickets and maintain control in the middle overs with their spinners.

“From a cricketing perspective, the Asia Cup didn’t go as planned, but that’s the essence of cricket – you learn from your mistakes, and there’s always room for improvement and the opportunity to play exceptional cricket. After our Asia Cup loss, we had a much-needed rest, and I believe it’s no longer just about skills; it’s a mental game, especially in the World Cup. When you’re mentally relaxed, you can make better decisions.”

“I acknowledge that my recent form has been subpar, but my skills are intact. It’s just that when you’re not performing well, there’s a mental toll. However, skill-wise, there are no issues. From a mental standpoint, things have changed after the rest, and we are hopeful of putting up a strong performance in the upcoming World Cup,” said Shadab during a press conference, as reported by Cricbuzz.

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Shadab also expressed confidence in the return to form of left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman ahead of the World Cup. Zaman has faced difficulties in scoring runs recently, managing only 65 runs in five innings during the Asia Cup. Unfortunately, he did not get a chance to bat for Pakistan in their first warm-up match against New Zealand on October 29.

“Fakhar Zaman is a key player for us, known for his impactful performances that often lead to victories. His three centuries this year have all resulted in wins, and every team desires a player of his caliber in their ranks. We have complete faith in his abilities, and he is undoubtedly a world-class player,” Shadab added.

Furthermore, Shadab firmly believes that the team with the most effective bowling unit on a given day will emerge as the World Cup champions. “I have a strong conviction that the team with superior bowling skills will win the World Cup. Given the conditions, containing batters and taking wickets will be challenging, considering the flat tracks and small boundaries.”

“Therefore, I believe the team that excels in bowling will clinch the tournament, and we have world-class bowlers. As a bowling unit, if we perform at our best, we can become champions.”

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