Shadab Khan is a name that brings excitement to every Pakistani cricket fan. He is not just a player. He is a match-winner. When he steps onto the field, something special happens. He can turn a game with his bat. Shadab can deceive batters with his leg spin. He is also electric in the field. This article looks at his ten best performances. We will analyze why these moments matter so much. We will see how Shadab Khan changed the game for Pakistan.
1. The Champions Trophy final 2017 vs India
This moment started everything. Shadab Khan was very young. The pressure was huge. It was the final against India. Pakistan had set a big target. But India had a strong batting lineup. The key wicket was Yuvraj Singh. Shadab trapped him LBW. The umpire said not out. Shadab insisted on a review. The review showed it was out.
This wicket broke India’s confidence. It showed Shadab’s bravery. He trusted his skill on the biggest stage. Most young players feel fear in finals. Shadab showed zero fear. He ended with figures of 2/60. But that one wicket was the turning point. It proved he belongs at the top level.
2. World Cup 2019 vs. South Africa
Pakistan needed to win this game to stay in the World Cup. The team was under pressure. Shadab Khan stepped up with both bat and ball. First, he played a small but vital innings. He scored quick runs when the team needed them. Then he came to bowl.
South Africa was building a partnership. Shadab broke it. He took crucial wickets in the middle overs. He finished with figures of 3/50. His bowling stopped the run flow. He forced the batters to make mistakes. This performance showed his value as an all-rounder. He supports the team in every department.
3. The 76-run blitz vs New Zealand
Sometimes the team fails. The top order collapses. This happened against New Zealand. Pakistan was in deep trouble. Shadab walked in to bat. He did not play defensively. Shadab attacked the bowlers. He scored 76 runs. This was one of his best batting displays.
He hit boundaries all over the ground. Shadab showed he is a proper batter. He rescued the team from a very low score. This inning proved his technique is solid. He can handle pace and spin well. It gave Pakistan a fighting chance. Fans realized Shadab is a true, reliable batter down the order.
4. T20 World Cup 2022 vs. South Africa
This match was a must-win. The conditions were tough in Sydney. Pakistan lost early wickets. Shadab came to the crease. He played an unbelievable knock. He scored 52 runs off just 22 balls. It was a storm. He hit sixes effortlessly.
His strike rate was amazing. He changed the momentum completely. South Africa did not know where to bowl. After batting, he took two wickets too. He was the Player of the Match. This performance was pure dominance. It showed his ability to single-handedly win T20 games. He is a complete package in this format.
5. Debut T20 vs. West Indies 2017
Shadab Khan made his debut in the West Indies. Nobody knew much about him. He made sure they would remember him. In his very first game, he was unplayable. He took 3 wickets for just 7 runs. This is a dream start.
He bowled googlies that batters could not read. Shadab was accurate and smart. He won the Man of the Match award on debut. This is very rare. It showed Pakistan had found a gem. He filled the gap of a quality spinner. His confidence was visible from ball one. This performance launched his international career.
6. PSL 2018 Eliminator vs. Peshawar Zalmi
The Pakistan Super League is where local stars shine. Shadab plays for Islamabad United. In a high-pressure eliminator, he showed his class. The game was tight. Peshawar Zalmi was chasing. Shadab bowled a magical spell.
He controlled the middle overs perfectly. Shadab took key wickets at the right time. He stopped the runs and built pressure. His captaincy skills also showed here. He set fields and guided other bowlers. Islamabad United won because of its control. It proved he is a big match player in domestic leagues, too.
7. The Asia Cup 2022 final bowling
Pakistan lost the final, but Shadab was excellent. Sri Lanka was attacking everyone. But they could not attack Shadab. He bowled with great control. He took 1 wicket for just 28 runs in 4 overs. In a high-scoring game, this is gold.
He was the only bowler who looked threatening. Shadab used his variations well. He did not give easy runs. Even when the team loses, Shadab often performs well. This shows his consistency. He fights until the last ball. His spell gave Pakistan a chance to come back.
8. Test match resistance vs England 2020
Shadab is known for white-ball cricket. But he can play Tests too. In Manchester, Pakistan was struggling. The swing was difficult. Shadab scored 45 runs in the first innings. Then he scored 15 in the second. These runs were valuable.
He batted with patience. He left the bad balls. Shadab defended well against fast bowlers like Broad and Anderson. It showed he has the temperament for long formats. He is not just a hitter. He can grind it out. This performance earned him respect from Test cricket experts.
9. 5-wicket haul vs Sri Lanka 2017
This was his second ODI series. Shadab was still new. But he bowled like a veteran. In the final ODI, he took 5 wickets. Sri Lanka had no answer. He spun the ball both ways. He used the crease well.
Taking five wickets is special. Doing it so early in a career is amazing. He finished the game quickly for Pakistan. It was a complete spin masterclass. He showed he can run through a batting lineup. This performance cemented his spot in the ODI team.
10. Vital 86 vs West Indies 2022
The weather was hot in Multan. The conditions were tough. Pakistan was chasing a target. The top order got out. Shadab built a partnership. He scored 86 runs. Shadab played smart cricket. He rotated the strike and hit bad balls.
Shadab stayed calm under pressure. He took the game deep. This innings showed his maturity. He is now a senior player. Shadab takes responsibility. He guided the tail-enders. Although he got out before finishing, his knock set up the win. It was a selfless and brave effort.
One of Shadab Khan’s most recent standout performances came when he led Sydney Thunder to their first BBL win, showcasing his all-round brilliance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bowling figure of Shadab Khan in T20s?
His best bowling figures in T20 Internationals are 4 wickets for 8 runs. He achieved this against Hong Kong.
Has Shadab Khan ever scored a century?
He has not scored a century in international cricket yet. His highest score is 86 against the West Indies in an ODI.
Which PSL team does Shadab Khan play for?
Shadab Khan plays for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. He is also the captain of the team.
Is Shadab Khan an all-rounder?
Yes, he is a genuine all-rounder. He bats in the middle order and bowls leg spin. He is key to the team balance.
When did Shadab make his debut?
Shadab made his international debut in March 2017 against the West Indies in a T20 match.
