Shadab Khan had a good showing in the Third T20 Unfortunately, Pakistan still lost the match. | © Twitter (@grassrootscric)
Following Pakistan’s disheartening defeat against New Zealand in the third T20 International match, all-rounder Shadab Khan has highlighted the team’s struggles, emphasizing the need for consistency in T20 cricket.
Speaking at the post-match press conference held at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Khan admitted the challenges of sustaining top-notch performance in the shortest format of the game. He emphasized the requirement for skill and quick adaptability in T20 cricket, recognizing it as a demanding arena.
“Playing at one-down or two-down positions in the PSL is where I feel most at ease,” Shadab stated. “However, I’m also open to being utilized as a floater.”
“If given the opportunity, my approach remains consistent – I aim to score swiftly,” he continued. “In today’s T20 cricket, impactful innings are crucial. While making runs consistently isn’t necessarily challenging in T20 cricket, delivering impactful performances is where the real difficulty lies.”
Despite Pakistan posting a formidable total of 178 runs for the loss of only four wickets in the first innings, New Zealand orchestrated a remarkable comeback.
Shadab Khan played an explosive innings, scoring 41 runs off just 20 balls, featuring a flurry of sixes and boundaries. Additionally, the opening pair of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub forged a valuable fifty-run partnership, with Babar contributing 37 runs and Saim adding 32 to the total.
Mark Chapman of New Zealand emerged as a key figure in revitalizing his team’s prospects in the series, steering the visitors to a significant seven-wicket triumph. This victory levels the series at 1-1, setting the stage for two more thrilling encounters to be held at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium on April 25 and 27.
