PSL 2023: Babar Is Even A Bigger Diamond Than Kohinoor – Shadab Khan Demands Respects For The Pakistan Skipper

Pakistan Vice-captain Shadab Khan supported his Skipper Babar Azam, who has been constantly criticized by former Pakistan players and experts over his captaincy skills. Babar was slammed for his captaincy after Pakistan suffered a loss to both England and New Zealand on home soil.

Shadab Khan who is currently leading the Islamabad United franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 8) said that everyone should value the contribution of Babar to the Pakistan team compared to Pakistan’s all-format captain as being bigger than Kohinoor. Speaking in an interview with a local TV channel, Shadab said

“I think we are doing injustice with such a diamond. Pakistan has been blessed with such a big diamond. Babar is even a bigger diamond than Kohinoor. As a nation, we are not valuing Babar for what he is worth and are pressurizing him. At the end of the day, he is human. We should respect him the way the world respects him.”

Many former cricketers want Babar Azam to give up his leadership role in one format and feel Shadab Khan is the right man to lead Pakistan, but the Islamabad skipper said that Babar is Pakistan’s biggest player and is the right one to lead Pakistan and everyone should support and respect him.

“I am surprised when people doubt him as a captain or a leader. He is Pakistan’s biggest player. Our nation should respect him the way we respect him in the team.”

Shadab Khan has been an integral part of Pakistan since he made his debut and his all-around ability gives balance to the Pakistan team. The 24-year-old made his Pakistan debut in 2017 and has played 6 Tests, 53 ODIs, and 84 T20Is thus far.

Shadab Khan Is The Future Of Pakistan Cricket – Former Pakistan Pacer Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar has picked Shadab Khan to become the next Pakistan team captain in white-ball cricket saying that he has good leadership skills as well. The former pacer Shoaib Akhtar said that the all-rounder has impressed him with his improvement as a cricketer

“Shadab is a great captain and the future of Pakistan cricket. I think Shadab is an aggressive captain with a balanced team, a great batting line-up, and a great attitude. Shadab and Azhar Mahmood’s as a coach are looking great and they can win the PSL 8 trophy,” he said.

According to him, Shadab Khan has all the qualities to be a Pakistan captain. He is leading Islamabad United, who are sitting second in the points table, winning three out of the four matches they have played so far.