Pakistan’s Khushdil Shah watches the ball after taking part in a shot throughout their ICC Males’s Champions Trophy match in opposition to India on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Dubai on February 23, 2025. — AFP
All-rounder Khushdil Shah has denied stories that he was contemplating quitting Pakistan cricket following his extended absence from the nationwide crew.
Shah, who made his debut for Pakistan in November 2019, has up to now represented the nationwide crew in 15 ODIs and 38 T20Is, together with his final look for the Inexperienced Shirts coming on the ACC Males’s T20 Asia Cup final yr.
The 31-year-old performed one match on the continental event, within the group stage in opposition to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and scored 4 runs. He didn’t retain his spot in Pakistan’s taking part in XI for the rest of the Asia Cup and was subsequently dropped solely from the facet.
Amid his absence from the nationwide crew, a two-month-old interview resurfaced on the web on Friday, wherein one other nationwide all-rounder Abbas Afridi claimed Shah had instructed him that he solely had round 4 months left in him and if he didn’t obtain the nationwide crew call-up till then, he must go away Pakistan.
The declare rapidly gained traction on social media, resulting in speculations that Shah was planning to attract the curtains on his skilled cricketing profession with Pakistan.
Nevertheless, the all-rounder took to his Instagram tales on Friday to concern a clarification, wherein he deemed the stories “fake” and “completely untrue”, including that representing Pakistan had all the time been an honour and supreme precedence for him.
“Pakistan is my home, and representing this country has always been my top priority and greatest [honour],” he added.
He requested his followers to not consider the rumours earlier than reiterating his dedication in the direction of Pakistan cricket.
“Please don’t believe these baseless [rumours]. My commitment to Pakistan cricket has never changed and never will.”
