Following Pakistan’s thrilling victory over England, all-rounder Shadab Khan credited Haris Rauf for his support during their match-winning partnership, saying the fast bowler deserved more recognition for his contribution.
Speaking after the match, Shadab said Haris remained calm under pressure, and the two players constantly communicated with each other while batting. He described the experience as enjoyable, adding that they discussed topics beyond cricket and shared a light-hearted moment in the middle.
Shadab said he always believed he could guide Pakistan to victory. He recalled building a strong partnership with Haris in a previous series, including a similar innings against Australia, and said England’s bowlers were repeatedly put under pressure. According to Shadab, Haris had predicted that he would hit the winning shot. Shadab responded by telling him that, since he had helped bring the team so close to victory, he should finish the job himself.
Commenting on the LBW decision that came before he could complete his century, Shadab said he had not realised that his bat had made contact with the ball. He added that he requested a review while walking off the field.
Addressing criticism of his performances, Shadab said he was unsure whether he was among the coach’s favourites but remained committed to giving his best regardless of the criticism he faced. He acknowledged that it was impossible to satisfy everyone, despite making every effort to perform well.
Shadab said an innings becomes truly special when it contributes to a team victory, expressing happiness that his performance had helped Pakistan secure the win.
He added that batting lower down the order naturally requires an aggressive approach, with players often looking to hit sixes. Shadab said he thoroughly enjoyed his innings and recognised that the match conditions offered an opportunity to put England’s bowlers under pressure.
