Pakistan cricket team’s all-rounder Khushdil Shah has admitted that even he was unaware of how he got selected for the national squad. Speaking to the media after the match against New Zealand at the National Stadium Karachi, Khushdil shared his thoughts on his inclusion in the team and addressed the criticism he has faced.
‘Never Played for Personal Milestones’
During the press conference, Khushdil stated that he had never played cricket because of personal achievements.
“If I had been playing for my own scores, people wouldn’t have been calling me a ‘parchi’ (a term used to allege favoritism in selection),” he said.
Khushdil acknowledged that fans have been criticizing him for the past two years, but he has now grown used to it.
“People have been chanting against me for years. Now, I have become accustomed to it. In fact, I say, go ahead, keep chanting,” he remarked humorously.
However, he also mentioned that while negative slogans can hurt a player, he has learned to handle them and continues to enjoy his game.
‘Always Give My Best, Regardless of Run Rate’
The left-handed batter explained his approach to the game, stating that he always tries to do his best for the team, regardless of the required run rate.
“I don’t care about losing my wicket. My focus is on contributing as much as possible to the team,” he said.
Talking about the match situation, he revealed a conversation he had with fellow cricketer Naseem Shah.
“Naseem and I were discussing that if we could take the match to the final over, we would have a strong chance of winning.”
‘Missing Fakhar Zaman Hurt Our Start’
Reflecting on Pakistan’s performance, Khushdil admitted that the absence of explosive opener Fakhar Zaman affected the team’s start.
“Our start wasn’t ideal due to Fakhar’s absence. We had recovered about 40% into the game, but later, not having wickets in hand made things difficult.”
He emphasized the importance of a solid opening partnership in crucial matches.
‘Support the Team Instead of Criticizing’
Khushdil urged fans to back the team and players, especially with the Champions Trophy being hosted in Pakistan.
“Our priority is always finding ways to secure victory. The team should be supported rather than criticized. There is no need to demoralize the players. We will give our best in the next two matches.”
‘My Domestic Performance Speaks for Itself’
The all-rounder highlighted his strong domestic cricket performances at the lower-middle order positions.
“Everyone has seen my performance while batting at the sixth or seventh position in domestic cricket. When I was dropped from the national team, I was determined to make such a strong comeback that no one would question it.”
He also pointed out that batting at number six or seven is one of the most challenging roles, as it usually involves pressure situations where the team is struggling.
‘Fans Don’t Realize the Hard Work Behind the Scenes’
Khushdil noted that most people do not understand the amount of hard work players put in behind the scenes.
“Most people overlook the immense effort a player puts in behind the scenes. Several players rotate in and out of this position, and it’s always a tough challenge for anyone batting at number six or seven.”
Looking Ahead
While acknowledging that Pakistan let the match slip away against New Zealand, Khushdil remained optimistic about the team’s future performances.
“We faced defeat today, but we’ll strive for a stronger performance in the upcoming matches.”
His message to fans was clear: support the team, back the players, and trust the process as Pakistan competes in the Champions Trophy.
