Skillful Shadab aims to be the all-rounder for Pakistan

SHARJAH: The town of Mianwali has produced two superstars for Pakistan cricket, Imran Khan and Misbah ul Haq, now another player from the hometown of the two captains is ready to serve the nation.

18-year-old Shadab Khan is currently playing for Islamabad United in the second edition of Pakistan Super League and has already troubled batsmen of opposing teams with his leg breaks. He has already played for Pakistan U17 and U19 and now aims to play cricket for the national team.

Hailing from Mianwali, Shadab started cricket six years ago when he was forced to relocate to Rawalpindi with family.

"I didn't play any cricket when I was in Mianwali, we moved to Pindi to join my brother there who was studying and then I started playing cricket," Shadab told geo.tv

The young bowler does leg spin and can bat as well, and has got some great stats at under-19 level to his credit.

His cricketing journey, according to him, wasn't a planned one. He says that he started playing with cousins and only got serious when one of the clubs offered him to play for the side.

"At first, I used to play tape ball cricket and I used to bowl fast. Then, we made a team with cousins for hard ball cricket and I started doing leg spin on advice of my brother Aftab," said Shadab.

"Then, once I was bowling in nets, the president of a local club spotted me and offered me to play for the side, then I played regional cricket and topped in U19 one-day tournament," he said.

And, like many growing cricketers, Shadab too had to face resistance from family for continuing cricket as a career, but support from his elder brother kept him going.

Shadab says that PSL has been a turnaround for his career and the league has provided him with a big opportunity to learn from others and showcase his talent to the world.

"I'm happy to be here. I was so excited when my name was picked by Islamabad United," said the young cricketer when he was asked to share his experience of playing the PSL.

"The league and Islamabad United have provided me with an opportunity to learn and grow as a cricketer, sharing the dressing room with legends have grown my confidence," he said.

Islamabad's team manager Rehanul Haq was full of praise for Shadab saying that he has never seen such a talented bowler at this age.

"I spotted him at nets in Rawalpindi, and have seen some of his video clips. I have never seen such a talent with such varieties at this age," Rehan told geo.tv.

"Even Wasim bhai (Wasim Akram) was so impressed with him and sees him as a future prospect," he added.

Islamabad's team director Wasim Akram also spoke high of Shadab, saying that the all-rounder’s ability to learn is what he likes about him.

"I think he is very talented and has the ability to play for Pakistan. What I like about him is his hunger to learn and improve," said Wasim Akram on Shadab Khan.

Shadab says he always idolised Shane Warne and want to be an aggressive spinner like Warne and now he has his eyes set on playing for Pakistan and aiming to play a role of the all-rounder for the national team.

"I am looking at the role of an all-rounder for Pakistan, I believe that I can do good in limited overs for Pakistan as the team also seems to be needing an all-rounder," he said.