Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has defended the team management’s decision to continue with Shadab Khan as a batting all-rounder, despite growing questions over his bowling form following Pakistan’s 41-run defeat to Australia in the second ODI at Gaddafi Stadium. Shadab Khan returned to ODI cricket in the ongoing three-match series after last appearing in the format during the 2023 World Cup. His comeback had already sparked debate, particularly with specialist spinners Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed also included in the squad.

Shadab Khan returned to ODI cricket in the ongoing three-match series after last appearing in the format during the 2023 World Cup. His comeback had already sparked debate, particularly with specialist spinners Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed also included in the squad.

The all-rounder had a difficult World Cup campaign in 2023, taking only two wickets in six matches at an average of 118.5. His limited recent exposure to 50-over cricket further added to the scrutiny, as his last List A appearance before this series came in October 2024 during the President’s Cup One-Day tournament.

His bowling returns in the current series have not eased those concerns. Shadab has gone wicketless in the first two ODIs, conceding 110 runs at an economy rate of 6.47, making him Pakistan’s most expensive bowler in the series so far.

He had also failed to take a wicket in his previous three matches before the Australia series, while his last multi-wicket haul came in the 2023 Asia Cup opener against Nepal in Multan, where he took 4 for 27.

However, Pakistan’s management appears to view Shadab’s role differently now. Hesson said the all-rounder’s role has gradually changed over the years.

“Shadab, I guess, has made a transition throughout his career, starting as more of a bowler who batted, to a batting all-rounder,” Hesson said. “Because of that, he bats at six or seven depending on the situation.”

Shadab showed that batting value in the second ODI, scoring a fighting 71 off 104 balls while chasing 232. His innings kept Pakistan in the contest for a while before Australia bowled the hosts out for 190 to seal the match by 41 runs. It was also Shadab’s first ODI half-century since June 2022, when he reached the milestone against West Indies in Multan.

Hesson also made it clear that Shadab is no longer being treated as one of Pakistan’s main bowling options.

“He is our fifth bowler, along with Salman Ali Agha or Maaz Sadaqat in this line-up,” Hesson added.

Pakistan’s selection approach is part of a wider plan to test more players ahead of the next World Cup, which is still 16 months away.

The management handed six debuts during the recent Bangladesh series, while Arafat Minhas became the latest new face in the ODI side during the first match against Australia in Rawalpindi, where he marked his debut with a record five-wicket haul.

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