Pakistan leg-spinner and vice-captain Shadab Khan believes that Pakistan can still make a “miracle” and reach the semi-final of the World Cup 2023, despite their performing disappointingly in their last three games.
Babar Azam’s team had started the tournament with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, but their campaign went downhill with losses to India, Australia, and Afghanistan. Now they face a rampant South African team, which is second on the points table, in Chennai.
This is effectively a must-win game for Pakistan, as should they lose, they would be virually out of the semi-final race. That is why, Shadab Khan reckons, Pakistan will play with nothing to lose mindset against the Proteas,
“We have under-performed in all three departments – batting, bowling and fielding. We have not played good cricket but have bounced back from such situations,” Shadab Khan said during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“If you have belief, miracles happen. We have not played like we were playing before the World Cup but from tomorrow we have to start a winning streak. When you are in a do-or-die position then I think the pressure is less because you have nothing to lose,” he added.
Maybe no one else knows about me: Shadab Khan
On individual level, Shadab Khan has not performed well, and was also dropped from the Australia game before returning for the Pakistan match. He’s picked up only 2 wickets in 4 matches and leaked runs at an economy of 6.42.
“See, this is individual and you should accept reality if you are not able to perform, then you should be honest with yourself. Because you know best about yourself – maybe no one else knows about me. So, I think you should analyze yourself. You should have an honest opinion about yourself. Talk to yourself,
“Criticizing is the easiest thing and anyone can do it – that should make no difference. I have a simple theory that whatever talent God has given if you give it 100% in the ground, that’s it. Because the result is not in our hands. What is written for us, has to happen. So, do what is in your hands, the rest is in God’s hands,” the leg-spinner asserted.
