‘T20 Cricket Is Very Hard…’: Shadab Khan On Prolific Run In LPL 2024 After T20 WC Flop Show

Shadab Khan celebrating a wicket in LPL 2024 (SLC)

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan roared back to form through the ongoing LPL 2024 season for the Colombo Strikers franchise. Prior to the Sri Lankan-based franchise tournament, the cricketer endured a torrid 2024 T20 World Cup campaign for Pakistan in USA last month, tallying just 44 runs from three innings with the bat and going wicketless with the ball.

In contrast to his T20 World Cup performance, Shadab has emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the LPL 2024 season, snapping 16 scalps at an impressive bowling average of just 8.81. 

Addressing his recent issues and return to form, the 25-year-old has stated that he stuck to the process even during his difficult times, and any player tends to go through such contrasting phases in their professional career.

Shadab Khan opens up on struggles and return to form

As quoted from a press release during the ongoing LPL 2024 season, Shadab Khan admitted his recent international struggles for the Pakistan team.

However, the cricketer claimed that players tend to go through difficult phases, and the key to remain consistent is to follow the “process”. 

“I was struggling for three months. I hadn’t taken a wicket in the last seven international games. I came here, started bowling and am now always taking wickets. That is the beauty of cricket. You have to enjoy these types of scenarios as well… sometimes you perform, sometimes you don’t. But the process that you follow has to be consistent,” he said.

Shadab Khan also added that the pitches in Sri Lanka has provided him assistance, and he has been trying variations on flat tracks.

“The pitch was helping us as it was a bit slow and gripping a bit… But T20 cricket is very hard nowadays, as 200 is easily changeable. As a spinner, you have to have your variations because on flat tracks, if you don’t have variations, you can go for runs. But if you have variation, you can take wickets as well as contain runs. So that is very important, and it is also important that you land it in a good area.”

As per recent reports, Shadab Khan will likely be dropped by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a bid to groom youngsters for T20Is.

Regardless, the 25-year-old is currently in Sri Lanka for the final week of the LPL 2024 season.