Here Is Why Shadab Khan’s Illness Is Bad News For Pakistan

Pakistan’s young bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan has been diagnosed with a virus that certain media reports suggest is Hepatitis C and that is likely to keep him out of the game for at least a month. So, here is a look at why leg-spinner Shadab Khan’s illness is bad news for Pakistan cricket and why the green shirts need him back.

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Not The Only Spin Bowling All-rounder Who Is Unfit

Imad Wasim and Mohd. Hafeez are other reliable spin bowling all-rounders in Pakistan’s world cup squad. However, even the two of them aren’t a hundred percent fit and are likely to undergo another fitness test before the mega event. Hence, with Shadab also down with illness, Mickey Arthur and Sarfraz Ahmed will be really worried as it would be very difficult for the men in green to deliver without the services of all three of them.

Read: Talking Points After PCB Announces Pakistan’s ICC World Cup Squad

No Back Up Available

Pakistan named Yasir Shah as a replacement for Shadab Khan for the English tour. Nevertheless, Yasir is neither an all-rounder nor a force to reckon with in limited overs cricket. Mohd. Nawaz is the other option available to them however, he too hasn’t really delivered at the international level. Therefore, if Shadab fails to regain fitness then Pakistan will technically be going into the world cup without one of their key players.

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A Wicket Taking Option

Mohd. Amir is yet to find his lost mojo and hence, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi are the only two real wicket taking options available to the green caps as far as their pace attack in ODI cricket is concerned. The fact was evident when pacers struggled with both the new and the old ball for most part during the series against Australia.

Mohd. Hafeez and Imad Wasim are quality spinners. Still, their specialty is to ball in good areas and contain the run-rate rather than to provide regular breakthroughs. Therefore, if Shadab is not available then such a development will serve as a huge blow to Sarfraz’s men and deprive them of a real wicket taking option during the middle overs.