“The process has to be consistent”: Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan talks about his lean phase

Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan opened up about his recent struggle to find the purple patch with both bat and ball on the international circuit. Shadab is making a memorable debut in the 5th season of the Lanka Premier League with Colombo Strikers. In his first game he scored a hat-trick against Kandy Falcons and has since thrived in the conditions, taking 16 wickets, the most by any player so far this LPL season. As the LPL caravan moved from Dambulla to Colombo, Shadab took his third four-wicket haul of the tournament against Jaffna Kings at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

As Shadab continues to rewrite record books, he spoke about his struggle to fulfill Pakistan’s selection.

“I was struggling for three months. I hadn’t taken wickets in the last seven internationals. I came here, started bowling and now I’m always taking wickets. That’s the beauty of cricket. You have to enjoy that kind of scenario too. .sometimes you act, sometimes you don’t, but the process you follow has to be consistent,” said Shadab, quoted in an LPL press release.

Shadab recalled his first league match and expressed that the pitch was useful for the spinners. But he added that a T20 bowler requires variations to be successful in all conditions.

“The pitch was helping us because it was a bit slow and a bit engaging… But T20 cricket is very difficult these days as 200 is easily changeable. there is no variation, you can score runs, but if you have variation, you can take wickets and also contain runs. That’s very important, and it’s also important that you hit a good area,” Shadab. added.

The 25-year-old has stated his intention to contribute as an all-rounder in all departments of the game for his franchise, Colombo Strikers.

“I am performing for my team and that is a good sign. I am the main bowler and if I am taking wickets it is a positive sign for me and my team. I want to contribute in all three phases. So far, I am contributing in two as bowler and fielder .I hope I can contribute with the bat as well,” concluded Shadab.

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