Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has downplayed concerns over Babar Azam not being sent in to bat against Namibia, insisting that players must not take team decisions personally. The comments came after Pakistan secured qualification for the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage with a commanding 102-run victory, bouncing back strongly from their earlier defeat to India.
During the Group A clash, Babar — usually positioned at number four — did not get a chance to bat, with Khawaja Nafay promoted ahead of him and Shadab following at number five. The move sparked debate among fans and observers, especially given Babar’s stature in Pakistan’s batting lineup. Additionally, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was left out of the playing XI, further fuelling discussion around team strategy.
Addressing the situation, Shadab emphasized that the dressing-room environment remains clear and professional. “As a professional, you can't take these things to heart. The team's environment and messages are very clear, so it's not a problem for any player. Everyone is trying to help the team win,” he said after the match, indicating the decision was purely tactical.
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He also dismissed suggestions that Pakistan was experimenting unnecessarily. According to Shadab, team combinations are adjusted based on match conditions and strategic requirements. “Do you really think Pakistan experiments that much? I don't think so. Our messages are very clear. If you're talking about Babar not being called to bat, he knows exactly when his role comes into play,” he added.
Looking ahead, Shadab cautioned that the Super Eight stage will present far tougher challenges. “The Super Eights will be tough. There will be pressure games. At the end of the day, you can only control certain things,” he said, underlining the team’s focus on execution. Meanwhile, Namibia captain Craig Williams admitted the heavy defeat after being bowled out for 97 was disappointing and said the team would review where things went wrong.
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