Shadab Khan's T20I Return Uncertain Amid Asia Cup Setback and Selector's Opposition

Shadab Khan, a veteran all-rounder of Pakistan cricket, is reportedly unlikely to feature in the Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury. In his absence, Pakistan has yet to name a vice-captain for the West Indies tour, as head coach Mike Hesson is holding out for Shadab's return to the T20I setup. 

It's worth noting that Shadab Khan and Mike Hesson share a close bond, stemming from their association with the PSL franchise Islamabad United. As a result, Hesson supports Shadab as a player and wishes for him to continue as the T20I vice-captain. However, cricketpakistan.com.pk reports that Shadab has faced significant backlash from an influential selector who questions his worth in the shortest format.

The selector reportedly accuses Shadab of influencing the selection of certain players in Pakistan's T20I squad. While current captain Agha Salman focuses solely on improving the team's performance, Shadab allegedly used his time in the dressing room to persuade the selectors to bring back some of his allies. This move reportedly did not sit well with the selector, who now considers Shadab's return to the team a mistake. Given this situation, it remains to be seen whether Shadab will make a comeback when he is medically cleared in October.

Shadab Khan's performance after his T20I comeback has been a mixed bag. He had a forgettable tour of New Zealand, scoring just 58 runs across four innings. However, he showed better form in the Bangladesh T20Is, scoring 55 runs and taking four wickets in three matches. With his unavailability for the Asia Cup, it will be interesting to see who the PCB selects as his replacement.