Shadab Khan's return to first-class cricket has reaped rewards following four years out of the domestic red ball game - could his performances spark a Test recall in the near future?
Shadab took a five-for for Rawalpindi in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this week, taking 5-80 in Bahawalpur's opening inning of the match. In Rawalpindi's reply, he scored a quick-fire half-century, hitting 54 off 45 to ensure the side took a first-innings lead.
With that still ongoing, his performance in its first half came off the back of strong showings in the matches which preceded it. He took four wickets in Rawalpindi's draw against Multan, before taking five and scoring an 84 in their dominant win over Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The return to red-ball cricket comes after a significant break in the format for Shadab. He hasn't played a first class game since his last Test match, which was against England in 2020.
His absence from the format has been down to a number of factors, which include franchise deals and his role in Pakistan's white ball side. He made his international debuts in all three formats in 2017 as a teenager, and played four Test matches before he was dropped in 2020, an injury initially keeping him out of the squad before he wasn't included later in the year.
While Shadab has been an important figure in Pakistan's white-ball side over the last couple of years, he was dropped for their ongoing tour of Australia after a downturn in form with both bat and ball. He has taken three wicket eight T20I innings this year at an average of 73.66 with the ball, and has racked-up six single-digit scores with the bat.
That enforced break from international cricket has allowed Shadab to focus on domestic cricket. He captained Panthers to victory in the Champions One Day Cup, scoring the winning runs with a six in the final. Missing out on the Australia tour has also given him room to return to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Could a Test recall be on the horizon for Shadab Khan?
It's not out of the realms of possibility that his performances in that competition could earn him a recall for the Test side in Pakistan's not too distant future.
Following their tour of South Africa in January, Pakistan will host West Indies for two Test matches before the Champions Trophy in February. The success of their approach of preparing ragging pitches against England could lead the PCB to opt for a similar approach to pitch preparation for that series, given those pitches were not sanctioned by the ICC following the series.
In that scenario, Shadab could play an important role for them. While Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were more than enough to spin Pakistan to wins against England, fielding another spinning all-rounder would give them extra flexibility, as well as another variation of spin in their lineup and the perfect conditions for Shadab to succeed in.
Also read: Who is Anshul Kamboj, the Haryana pacer who took 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings?
Zahid Mahmood, the leggie Pakistan included against England, hardly got a look in alongside Sajid and Noman's heroics, bowling a total of 16 overs across two games. If Shadab were to be included in his place, he would give them the same potential of overs as well as elongating the batting order. Add to that, he's also a brilliant fielder, an area Pakistan were lacking in against England.
While it's early days for Shadab back in red ball cricket, the signs of those early few matches are positive. It's also relevant to point to the circumstances of his first run in the Test side as a young player. Three of his six Tests came in England, with his other three played in Ireland, South Africa and West Indies – hardly ideal conditions for a young spinner.
Turning pitches, a newly invigorated Pakistan side with a fresh selection committee not afraid to make bold choices could provide him a route back in to international cricket.
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