If Shadab Khan came across as slightly unsure about receiving the Player of the Tournament award after the PSL final on Monday night, he certainly didn’t feel undeserving. Quite the opposite in fact. “Nahin, aisa kuch nahin, mera hi banta hai (Nothing like that, I deserve it),” Shadab Khan quipped after leading Islamabad United to their third PSL title.
It’s difficult to argue. Captain of the title-winning team, joint fifth-highest wicket-taker with 14, ninth-highest run-getter with 305 runs at a strike rate of 142.52 (neck and neck with Babar Azam’s strike rate), eight catches and a couple of run-outs. Shadab Khan was instrumental in the thrilling final-ball win over Multan Sultans in Karachi in the PSL final, picking up 3 for 32 including the wicket of his Multan counterpart, Mohammad Rizwan.
It made Islamabad the most successful PSL franchise, with a third title, and Shadab’s second after the 2018 win. There was little doubt which triumph was more memorable.
Imad Wasim’s return to form proved vital for Shadab Khan’s team winning the title
It wasn’t a straightforward campaign for Islamabad by any means in PSL 2024. They stuttered early on with three consecutive losses after a season-opening win. That included an almighty collapse against Peshawar Zalmi when they fell from 181 for 3 to 191 for 9, also losing four wickets in an over.
But belief in their ways and methods remained firm and some old hands came good, not least Faheem Ashraf and the player of the final – and the playoffs – Imad Wasim.
“The way we started, then lost three consecutive games, our belief remained the same. The matches we lost were close ones, last-over games, or we controlled games and then lost. Cricket doesn’t let you relax,” Shadab Khan said.
“From the Karachi [Kings] game, it had become knockout matches for us, and we took it one game at a time. We’ve always had the belief in our group that we have players who can win us games from anywhere,”
Imad’s return to form was especially critical, a series of match-winning performances starting from the must-win group game against Multan. After a torrid start to the tournament, Imad won the Player of the Match award in every game in the playoffs, taking wickets and finishing games with the bat.
The run has been accompanied by increasing chatter to get him back into Pakistan colors, Imad having retired last November from international cricket, not entirely content. Shadab Khan was unequivocal in his support.
Pakistan needs players like Imad Wasim- Shadab Khan
Imad having retired last November from international cricket, not entirely content. Shadab Khan was unequivocal in his support reckoning that Imad Wasim’s experience in the Caribbean would be vital for Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup .
Shadab is hopeful of Imad’s return to international cricket with the World Cup approaching and believes that his vast amount of experience of playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) can benefit the 2009 T20 World Cup winners. Shadab Khan said as quoted by ICC
“I want to, in fact, when Imad made the decision, I had also talked to him that I didn’t want him to leave. Because Pakistan needs players like him. God willing, if there is a discussion with him, hopefully he will come back because the World Cup is approaching and the way he is performing and his experience in CPL (Caribbean Premier League), Pakistan definitely needs him,”
Indirectly, part of the reason for the clamor for Imad has been Shadab Khan’s own form for Pakistan. After a disappointing Asia Cup and ODI World Cup at the end of last year, he was not picked for Pakistan’s T20I series in New Zealand at the start of the year. As such, his performances and form in this PSL have served as an audition for a return, even if he hasn’t seen it as such. Notably, Pakistan’s next T20I assignment is a five-match series against New Zealand at home starting April 18 in Rawalpindi.