Haris Rauf And...? 3 Pakistan Stars Who Could Potentially Be Dropped After NZ T20Is

3 Pakistan stars who could be dropped [Source: AP Photo]

Pakistan team had a disappointing Champions Trophy 2025 as the side got knockout out in the group stage itself after losing to New Zealand and India. They were the host nation and there was a sense of optimism related to Pakistan cricket, but the team disappointed and got crashed out without a single win.

Now, the caravan moves towards the upcoming series against New Zealand as Pakistan embark on a new journey. The T20I squad has several players who are on life support and a poor series could see them out of the squad.

Here are 3 such players who coould potentially be dropped from T20I squad if they perform poorly.

1) Haris Rauf

T20I Performance Vs South Africa

The tearaway pacer is Pakistan's best bowler, but he has been out of form and was dropped from the ODI squad. Unlike India, Pakistan cricket doesn't give time to its players to return back to form, and if Rauf has a poor outing against the Kiwis, he could be shown the exit door.

The pacer looked clueless against South Africa in the recently concluded T20I series and another poor showing in the 5-match T20I series and the selectors might need to make some bold calls. In the last T20I series against the Proteas, Rauf took zero wickets in the two matches and had an economy rate of almost 13 runs per over.

2) Shadab Khan

Shadab Khan bowling stats (2024)

For some reason, Pakistan selectors decided to pick in Shadab Khan in the squad for the New Zealand series and also made him the vice-captain of the team. Shadab was dropped from the Pakistan side due to poor performances, but his inclusion came in as a surprise.

As a finisher, Shadab's strike-rate is excellent (150.68), however, it is his bowling which has led to Shadab's downfall in T20Is.

In 12 T20I matches in 2024, Shadab picked up just 3 wickets, at an average of 73.67, and an economy of 9.61. If his numbers don't improve in the upcoming series, PCB might take a stern call on his T20I future.

3) Khushdil Shah

Khushdil Shah T20I stats

The Pakistan all-rounder recently made a comeback in the national side, but it was not that impressive as he failed to deliver the goods once again. He was once again picked for the New Zealand T20Is, but a poor showing here could show him the exit door.

His T20I numbers speaks for his poor performance in the format. In 27 matches, he has 344 runs, at a strike-rate of 109. With the ball, the stats get even poorer as he has only scalped 3 wickets in 27 matches.

Pakistan have better players ready in the domestic circuit and a poor outing against the Kiwis could force the selectors to look elsewhere.

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