**Pakistani Cricketer Questions Shadab Khan’s Selection Against New Zealand**
**(Image: Shadab Khan)**
Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has openly criticized the performance and selection of vice-captain Shadab Khan following the team’s dismal showing in the first T20I against New Zealand.
In the match, Shadab Khan managed a mere 3 runs and went wicketless in his two overs, leading to questions about his place in the squad.
Speaking on a private TV channel, Shehzad pointedly asked what performance metrics or merit-based criteria Shadab Khan had fulfilled to warrant his selection.
“You’re talking about Shadab, tell me, what performance has he put up? Who brought him into the team? Let this series pass, the PCB has a different plan, and Shadab has been included in the team for a specific purpose,” Shehzad stated.
Shehzad also addressed rumors of Shadab Khan potentially being groomed for captaincy, suggesting that the authorities had orchestrated a weaker New Zealand squad to buy time.
“Such things are being said. We also want to know about these things, but it’s just the first T20I. Let’s see what happens next,” he added.
The match itself was a crushing defeat for Pakistan, losing by nine wickets. After being sent in to bat, Pakistan’s top order collapsed, with Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz both out for ducks. Irfan Khan added just one run, leaving the team reeling at 1/3.
Khushdil Shah (32) and captain Salman Agha (18) offered some resistance, but Pakistan was ultimately bowled out for a paltry 91 runs – their fifth-lowest T20I total ever.
New Zealand easily chased down the target with 59 balls remaining, losing only one wicket. The defeat marked Pakistan’s worst in the format in terms of balls remaining, surpassing their previous worst against Australia in 2018.