Why is Shadab Khan not playing ICC World Cup 2023, match 18 against Australia?

In the 18th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, taking place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Australia and Pakistan engage in a high-stake battle. The encounter carries immense significance for both teams in their quest for tournament glory.

Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam, made a surprising revelation during the toss, opting to bowl first and announcing the exclusion of Shadab Khan, who has been struggling with form and contributed minimally to the team. Shadab's recent performance slump, extending back to the Asia Cup, drew criticism from pundits and team strategists.

The Pakistan Vice-Captain has been replaced by Usama Mir in the playing XI. Usama Mir, who shone in the 2023 ODI World Cup warm-up matches with four wickets in two games and had a strong campaign for the Manchester Originals in The Hundred, steps in as a key addition to the team.

Shadab Khan’s struggle with the ball comes back to haunt him

The Pakistan Vice-captain’s prowess with the willow has surged, but this newfound batting finesse has seemingly exacted a toll on his craft as a bowler. In 2023, Shadab's bowling ledger reveals a somewhat subdued performance, with a meagre tally of 15 wickets accrued over 14 matches. His average, a rather elevated 42.60, and a somewhat prodigal economy rate of 5.72 have left enthusiasts and critics alike pondering the equilibrium between his dual cricketing roles.

In the ODI World Cup 2023, his wicket tally stands at a modest two in three encounters, leaving room for scrutiny. His recent outing against arch-rivals India in the tournament bore witness to a rather underwhelming performance, yielding figures of 0-31 from his allocated four overs.

The solitary beacon of note amidst this recent performance graph shines on his spirited showing against ‘Minnows’ Nepal during the Asia Cup of 2023, where he managed to secure four crucial wickets.