Shoaib praises Shadab's leadership in HBL PSL

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has praised Shadab Khan for his leadership and performances for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Akhtar, speaking on a local digital sports platform, emphasized his admiration for Shadab as a bowler, saying, "I am more interested in him as a bowler and I always recognise him as a bowler -— I don't care about his batting."

However, he also acknowledged Shadab's ability to step up with the bat when needed, praising his all-round contribution to the team.

Akhtar stressed the importance of a positive environment in the dressing room, saying that players perform better when supported. "Players are shaped in dressing rooms and team environments. If you create difficulties for them, their performance will reflect that. They'll think, 'I'm not happy with the team or management,'" he remarked. Praising Shadab's leadership, Akhtar said the Islamabad United captain is a "very smart player" and an essential part of the team. "He keeps the team united and doesn't allow any issues to arise," he added.

Additionally, Akhtar defended Azam Khan, the wicketkeeper-batter, who has faced criticism recently. "Azam Khan is a very good cricketer who has faced unnecessary backlash," Akhtar said. He also praised Azam's power-hitting skills and suggested, "If I were in his place, I'd make a documentary on myself of losing 40 kg in 100 days and then prove my power-hitting by scoring a century in 33 balls."

Akhtar concluded by encouraging Azam to take action: "If you're listening to me—and I know you always do—just do it and show the world what you're capable of."

Rizwan is best option for captaincy: Iftikhar

All-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has voiced support for Mohammad Rizwan to continue as Pakistan's ODI captain, calling the wicketkeeper-batter the best available option despite mounting criticism and leadership uncertainty in the national team.

In a recent interview, Iftikhar stated that Rizwan's credentials speak for themselves, insisting the decision is based on performance, not friendship.

"For me, if you compare everywhere, I think Rizwan is the best option. It's not because he is my friend or that we play for the same club, Multan Sultans. If you assess our options, Rizwan is the best choice and he can improve," Iftikhar said.

The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of Rizwan's leadership. Under his captaincy, Pakistan have suffered major defeats, including the ICC Champions Trophy and the recent tour of New Zealand.

The T20 side is currently under Salman Ali Agha's leadership, further fuelling speculation about a potential change in ODI captaincy.

Rizwan, who also leads Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, has enjoyed considerable success in the domestic T20 circuit. Under his guidance, Multan reached four consecutive PSL finals, winning the title in 2021.

Supporters argue that his consistency at the franchise level reflects leadership qualities worth retaining.

However, Multan Sultans have not had the best start to HBL PSL 10, losing both of their opening games. Rizwan's individual batting performances, however, have received praise.

Despite a strong personal record as a batter, Rizwan's international captaincy has not yielded notable results, prompting critics to call for fresh leadership. However, Iftikhar's endorsement suggests confidence remains within the dressing room.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has yet to make a formal decision regarding Rizwan's future as ODI captain, but with multiple contenders emerging, the leadership question remains open.

Click here to read article