Shadab wants batting order to be settled

LAHORE: Pakistan’s seasoned allrounder Shadab Khan on Tuesday stressed the need of identifying the batting order and roles as soon as possible so that batters could adapt accordingly before the ICC T20 World Cup which is just around the corner.

“Roles should be identified as we speak about batting order and we will have to sort it out quickly so that the players could get a good idea how to come out of the situation while playing at that particular position. I think it is being sorted out and it may take time,” Shadab told reporters here on Tuesday.

Pakistan team on Tuesday night held training session here at the Gaddafi Stadium ahead of their fourth T20I against New Zealand which will be held here on Thursday (tomorrow). The five-match series is levelled 1-1 after three games as the opener had been hit by rain. “I think thought process is important. If we are going on the right track and if there are failures so we should accept that. If we are not going on the right track so we will need to manufacture a good thought process. We will have to play modern cricket if we are to compete with major nations,” Shadab conceded.

Shadab said that strike rate is very important. “It’s very important,” he said. “I know a simple theory that a team which manages more boundaries will have more winning chances in a T20 game. Definitely strike rate is important. I think as a team we are trying to identify mistakes and we are going towards that and it will take time but we will have to play cricket with good strike rate,” Shadab stressed.

“Yes, World Cup is around the corner but still we will need some time as new management has come and every management and coaching staff have their own psyche and we have not yet met with the management. When we meet with them coaches and players will read each other’s mindset and there a good solution will be seen. Although we don’t have much time in coming days, we will try to play modern cricket and there failures also can come and we should accept that,” he said.

Shadab said that they have the resources through which they can win the World Cup. “Yes, we have the combination through which we can win the World Cup. As I said earlier the batting order issues should be settled so that the batters could score consistently in that position.

The discussion with players is being held individually and I am mentally relaxed as the discussion which has been held with me so I know what is my role. I think there will be no excuse with us not to try to play good cricket and win the World Cup,” he said.

Shadab said that he wants to become a utility allrounder. “When you play as an all-rounder you try to guide your team to victory whether it is in batting, bowling or fielding. “I try to score quick runs with positive intent. The way I play cricket there are more chances of a failure and I accept it and as a player you can try. You should put in your best what talent God has given you and leave the result to God as it is not in your hands,” Shadab said.