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'Influential' Person Against Shadab Khan's T20I Return Amid Asia Cup Setback: Report

Debashis Sarangi

Shadab Khan has been a veteran of Pakistan cricket [Source: @ICC/X]Shadab Khan has been a veteran of Pakistan cricket [Source: @ICC/X]

According to emerging reports, veteran all-rounder Shadab Khan is unlikely to play the Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, in his absence, Pakistan haven't named a vice-captain for the West Indies tour, with head coach Mike Hesson waiting for the all-rounder's comeback to the T20I setup. 

Hesson Backs Shadab As Selector Opposes All-Rounder's Selection

It's worth noting that Shadab Khan shares a great bond with Mike Hesson due to their connection with the PSL franchise Islamabad United. Therefore, Hesson backs Shadab as a player and wants him to continue as the T20I vice-captain. 

However, as reported by Pakistan's renowned journalist Saleem Khaliq, Shadab recently faced massive backlash from an influential selector, who doesn't consider him worthy of a place in the shortest format. 

The selector apparently accused Shadab of influencing the entry of some particular players in Pakistan's T20I side. The report claimed that while the current skipper, Agha Salman, focused solely on improving the team's performance, Shadab tried to utilise his time in the dressing room by persuading the think tank to bring some of his allies back to the team. 

Shadab's antics reportedly didn't go well with the aforementioned selector, who realised his comeback to the team was nothing short of a mistake. In such a scenario, it shouldn't be surprising if the veteran all-rounder doesn't return to the team when he gets fitness clearance around October this year. 

Shadab's Performance After T20I Comeback

Hailed for his all-round prowess, Shadab Khan had a forgettable tour of New Zealand, amassing just 58 runs across four innings. However, he performed much better in the Bangladesh T20Is, scoring 55 runs and scalping four wickets in three outings. Nevertheless, as he is unlikely to play the Asia Cup, it will be interesting to see which player the PCB picks as his replacement for the tournament.