Want to be the player of the Asia Cup, but the ultimate objective is to win it for Pakistan: Shadab Khan

Ahead of the mega clash between India and Pakistan, the hard-hitting allrounder Shadab Khan has revealed his intentions for the Asia Cup. The 23-year-old aims to be the player of the tournament but his primary focus will be to lift the trophy for Pakistan.

The Men in Green will begin their campaign on the 28th of August against their arch-rivals India. Representing Pakistan in 64 T20Is, Shadab has picked up 73 wickets at an economy rate of 7.11. He has also scored 275 runs for the side at a strike rate of 136.81.

Speaking to PCB, the all-rounder opened up about his intentions. He knows it is tough but wants to give his best for the side and expects to be rewarded with success and achievements.

“Personally, I want to be the player of the Asia Cup. I know it is easier said than done, but where there is a will, there is a way. I remain committed to delivering my best possible efforts and I am confident I will be rewarded with successes and achievements. It will be great if I can translate my dreams of lifting the player of the tournament trophy, but the much bigger and ultimate objective is to win the glittering trophy for Pakistan, rest is secondary,” said Shadab while speaking to PCB.

The dressing room is calm and relaxed, but we are not complacent: Shadab

Pakistan registered a massive 10-wicket victory against India in the T20 World Cup last year and that helped the team to start the tournament in a grand fashion. With that kind of a start, Pakistan, who were not even in the consideration, suddenly became one of the teams who could win the T20 World Cup. Even though they couldn’t make it to the final, their performances were highly appreciated by the pundits and also by the fans.

Ever since the tournament, Pakistan has been considered one of the toughest teams to face in this format of competition. They are one of the favourites to win the Asia Cup and thus there’s enough pressure on Babar Azam and the company. However, Shadab revealed that the dressing room is calm and relaxed ahead of the tournament.

“The dressing room is calm and relaxed, but we are not complacent. We are trying to keep things simple and straight, and our focus is one game at a time,” said the all-rounder. Shadab also spoke about Shaheen’s injury and how much of a blow that is for the team.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence is a blow as he is our main strike bowler. But the beauty of cricket is that it’s not an individual but a team game. So we have many match-winning bowlers in our family and I have confidence in Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim (injured and ruled out), Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani and others, who will surely step up,” said the 23-year-old.