Pakistan have arrived in India to play in the ODI World Cup 2023. This is the first time that Babar Azam’s Pakistan have come to play cricket in the country and fans are waiting to see how the players adjust to the new conditions.
Cricket World Cup 2023: Full Coverage
Pakistan’s cricket team faced a challenging defeat against New Zealand in their first warm-up match in Hyderabad, despite setting a high target of 346 runs. The team’s bowling performance was under scrutiny, particularly the performance of their leading spinner, Shadab Khan. Shadab had a disappointing run in the Asia Cup, which he acknowledged and viewed as a learning experience. He took six wickets in the tournament, with four of them against Nepal, and ended with an average of 40.83.
Speaking in the press conference, Shadab expressed that the beauty of cricket lies in its ability to provide opportunities for learning and improvement. After the Asia Cup, the team had a period of rest, which Shadab believes is crucial for mental relaxation. He emphasised that cricket has evolved into a mental game, especially in high-pressure situations like the World Cup.
“From a cricketing point of view, the Asia Cup didn’t go well, but that’s the beauty of cricket: you learn from your mistakes, and there is always an opportunity to learn and play good cricket,” Shadab said.
Despite his recent form, Shadab remains optimistic about his skills and the potential the World Cup holds for him. He understands the expectations that come with wearing the green jersey, especially when playing in India. He sees the World Cup as a platform that can elevate a player to superstardom with good performance.
“After we lost the Asia Cup, we got a good rest, and I believe it’s no more a skill game but a mental game, and it’s the World Cup. You can make good decisions when you are relaxed mentally,” he added.
Shadab, along with most of his teammates, is touring India for the first time. He doesn’t have extensive knowledge about the conditions but compared the pitch in Hyderabad to the flat deck in Rawalpindi. He highlighted the importance of quickly adapting to varying conditions and maintaining fitness throughout the long tournament.
Shadab subscribes to the old cricket adage that while batters win games, bowlers win tournaments. He expressed confidence in Pakistan’s bowling unit and backed Fakhar Zaman, who has been facing criticism. He believes that if the bowlers perform well on the flat tracks and short boundaries, they have a strong chance of becoming champions.
“He is a big player for us, an impactful player, and whenever he performs, the team wins. His three centuries this year have come in winning causes and every team wants this kind of players to play for their side. We have no doubt about his ability, and we back him as he is a world-class player,” Shadab said.