Pakistan’s supreme quality in the bowling department shone through in their Asia Cup campaign opener against Hong Kong on Sunday.
Safraz Ahmed and his men were just too good for the minnows at Dubai as they affirmed their title credentials with a resounding eight-wicket win. Their bowlers were on point as Hong Kong were bundled out for just 116 and one of the reasons was the display of Shadab Khan.
The Pakistan spinner finished with figures of 2-31 in his eight overs. Here, we take a closer look at his performance.
STATISTICS
OVERS BOWLED: 8
RUNS CONCEDED: 31
WICKETS: 2
MAIDENS: 1
ECONOMY-RATE: 3.87
30-SECOND REPORT
An excellent point fielder, Shadab was in thick of the action from the very go as he affected a brilliant run-out of Nizakat Khan with a direct hit. With the ball, the star Pakistan leg-spinner wasted no time in getting into his groove on Sunday as he struck with his very first delivery with the help of a sumptuous googly. Two deliveries later he had a second as he introduced himself with a double-wicket maiden. The wrist-spinner was hard to get away for Hong Kong’s batsmen with his array of variations as he capped off a fine performance.
Shadab Khan today
— Ahsan. 🇵🇰 (@imPakistaniLAD) September 16, 2018
2 Wickets with Bowl
1 Run Out and 1 Catch in Fielding
🔥🔥
You can only mock him for his Hair Style!! pic.twitter.com/JxUskSOCO3
GOT RIGHT
The subtlety in Shadab’s variations can be hard to pick for even an established batsman. Hence, with the youngster being right on the money from the very go, Hong Kong’s batsmen barely stood a chance. Knowing how to set up a batsman and when to bowl the googly is one of Shadab’s greatest assets and he showed that in abundance at the Dubai International Cricket stadium to get his Asia Cup campaign off to the perfect start. Apart from his skills with the ball, the Pakistan spinner was also a livewire on the field and completed an excellent catch too apart from the run-out he affected.
GOT WRONG
Shadab barely put a foot wrong in his eight-over spell. Once the teenager had announced himself with a stupendous first over, Hong Kong’s batsmen chose to play him more circumspectly and that was the only reason he could not add to his wicket column.
Pakistan’s leg-spin prodigy: Shadab Khan.
VERDICT – 8/10
The teenager is going to be key to Pakistan’s hopes in the Asia Cup and provides a perfect complement to their strong pace battery. With Sunday’s performance, Shadab has sounded the warning to other teams in the fray, especially India who will be Pakistan’s next opponent. The youngster did not really stamp his authority in his last encounter against Pakistan’s arch-rivals but his latest display will have given him the perfect preparation for the blockbuster clash on Wednesday.
