"I'm a more mature batsman these days" : Shahzaib Hasan

[MenInG]

The summer of 2009 in England has a special significance for Pakistan supporters. It was at the final of the World T20 at Lord’s on the 21st of June of that year, where Younis Khan lead Pakistan to a fantastic eight wicket triumph over Sri Lanka. After the much celebrated 1992 World Cup victory, the 2009 win in the Twenty20 format was a significant moment in Pakistan’s cricket history.

Karachi based cricketer Shahzaib Hasan played an important role in Pakistan’s chase of 139 runs to win the final but since then he has found it difficult to find a place in the Pakistan team, having played just three ODIs and ten IT20s with the last international game played against South Africa in November of 2010.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, twenty-six-year-old Shahzaib spoke about his memories of the 2009 World Twenty20 title victory, his disappointment at not being given further chances to represent Pakistan, his performances in the recent National Twenty20 tournament and his hopes of making a comeback in the Pakistan team in future.

Pakistan’s epic campaign to win the 2009 World Twenty20 title was a major milestone in the country’s cricket history. To be part of such a historic achievement was something that Shahzaib will cherish forever for a number of reasons as he recalled, “though distant, but undoubtedly the memories of that tournament are still very fresh in my mind. Simply to participate in a tournament of that stature was like a dream come true but then becoming part of the team that won the title was incredible to say the least. Personally speaking, that tournament took me from obscurity to fame in a matter of days and had a positive effect on my career.”

The euphoria that followed this victory seemed to suggest a new golden-age of Pakistan cricket but whilst a few cricketers such as Mohammad Amir were able to continue onwards with the Pakistan team, Shahzaib’s career trajectory did not take the expected path he would have preferred as he failed to establish a permanent place in the team.

“The success in a tournament such as the World Twenty20 was something any cricketer would have wanted to set their career on the right path and the same was true in my case. Why I did not feature again in the Pakistan team since the series against South Africa in 2010 is a mystery to me. Its puzzling since I have been making good progress in domestic cricket which happens to be one of the criteria for selection. I hold the record for the fastest hundred in just forty balls in the President’s One Day Cup (2014) and have also featured as the top scorer in the Pentangular Cup in Pakistan. However, I am not worried about the reasons for not being included in the Pakistan team and continue to focus on my domestic performances. I am hoping that if I can continue to do well in domestic cricket then I will be able to make a comeback in the national team.”

Whilst many of his contemporaries continued to forge ahead with their careers playing many games for Pakistan despite some ordinary performances, Shahzaib has had to endure the ignominy of being side-lined by the selectors for having issues with his technique. Whilst Shahzaib understands that he faces an uphill battle to convince his detractors, all he can do is to continue working hard to achieve his goals of making a comeback to the national team.

“To be honest, not being selected after playing just three ODIs does hurt. I had some reasonable scores in those games with the last match played in 2010 but was not selected again. I did not feel disheartened and continued to play domestic and also played in the first edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) where I did reasonably well. If it is in my fate to play for Pakistan, then it will happen. My job is to continue working hard in domestic cricket which I have been doing since the last time I played for Pakistan. Of course, it is also very disappointing that no one in the PCB, including the captain or the selectors, ever told me what I needed to improve upon specifically and why I was not being selected despite good performances. It would have been beneficial for all concerned if that had been done but it was not done. Everything said and done, there does seem to be some sort of unfairness in team selection when you are told that you are not good enough for Pakistan but the scorecards show a different story. But one cannot fight the system and must continue putting in one’s focus at the domestic level and leave the rest to the Almighty.”

The recently concluded National Twenty Cup provided another chance for Shahzaib to showcase his talent. This was a challenge that he took on with gusto whilst representing Karachi Blues where in nine matches he amassed three hundred and forty-four runs and was the third highest run-getter in the tournament.

“I did very well in the high profile National Twenty20 Cup and that really is a result of the work I have done to improve on my fitness, which incidentally is one of the basic requirements for success in international cricket nowadays. I also paid a lot of attention on improving my batting skills which was evident from my position as the third-highest run getter in the tournament. Whilst I really enjoyed playing in this tournament, my true focus was to perform well enough to find a place in the Pakistan national team.”

The reputation of a player with a cavalier attitude to his batting is one that has dogged Shahzaib since the heady days of his international debut. It is also an aspect of his cricket that has caused most damage to his chances of regaining a place in the national team and is a flaw that he has worked hard to rectify as he stated “I have had to change my approach to batting in order to fit in with the changes of modern day cricket. My shot selection as compared to earlier days of my career has become more mature, although I am still playing aggressive cricket. I am no longer trying to hit everything out of the park and am more interested in taking single and doubles to build my innings. I'm a more mature batsman these days.”

The advent of the international Twenty20 leagues have had a positive effect on the careers of many players. Apart from the exposure received as the leagues are watched by a world-wide audience, the opportunities to enhance experience is a great one for players.

“Playing league cricket around the world such as in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been an excellent experience. You come across players from different countries, some of whom have represented their countries at various levels. It’s a great opportunity for exposure and to learn from such players. On top of that, these tournaments get very good media coverage which is great for the players.”

Shahzaib Hasan joins a long list of players who have had promising starts to their careers but for reasons best known to selectors have failed to establish themselves further. Whilst disappointed by the progress of his international career so far, Shahzaib feels that a turnaround for his career may be at hand with the recent appointment of Inzamam-ul-Haq as the Chief Selector.

The veteran Pakistan cricketer has won a lot of admirers for his bold selection decisions in the recent past which seems to offer immense hope for the long suffering Shahzaib Hasan as he stated “I will never give up hope of playing for Pakistan and will continue working hard to achieve that goal. It is my aim to make a comeback and I can assure the selectors that when given the chance, I will not disappoint them by my performing well for Pakistan. Inzamam-ul-Haq is a legend of Pakistan cricket and all Pakistanis have high hopes of him in his new role as Chief Selector. A player of his stature has a great eye for talent and I would like him to have a look at my performances as well. In this regards, the upcoming domestic season where I will be captaining Karachi Whites is an important one for me. There will be a lot of responsibility on me to not only showcase my skills but also to lead the team to victory. I hope and pray that the coming season will be the turning point for my career and I will be able to impress Inzamam-ul-Haq and make my way back to the national team”, he concluded.

[hadi123]

Very good interview. Good on him for losing weight and becoming fit. I feel like him and Sharjeel Khan could be an explosive duo so I hope he carries on getting runs in domestic this season.

[Slog]

He needs a big PSL

[sunnykhan]

He needs a big PSL

How could he have a big PSL when Malik kept giving chances to his city mate who was failing again and again?

[aukhan]

He has lost weight and was playing proper strokes in the national T20 cup. I think we can try him as an opener after Latif's experiment is over. Always rated him as a better T20 batsmen than Latif.

[MenInG]

Problem now is that with every game won by Pakistan, chances of players like Fawad or Shahzaib are reduced further.

[MRSN]

Hopefully expect the same consistency from him in the fc season like T20 tournament. He has looked very promising in that tournament. Personally I rate him very highly as an opener. I think he is probably the best Limited overs opening option we have.

[WC-Passion]

He needs a big PSL

Exactly, Kami would have been in the T20 team this year if he didn't fail so badly in the PSL. Shahzaib needs to show he can do it in the PSL and then he will be picked up by the selectors.

[ask_analyse_act]

Problem now is that with every game won by Pakistan, chances of players like Fawad or Shahzaib are reduced further.

pak opening slot is always open... no need to worry... let him keep it up and continue to pile up runs in domestic and PSL will get a recognition for him...Azahr ali will soon leave the ODI team as a captain and player... Waiting for the Aussie summer..

[Asif321]

should be inducted in T20 squad lets try him . we need such openers

[Hawkeye]

Need this guy in LOIs.

Sharjeel, Shahzaib and Khalid all 3 should play. Shahzaib has better stroke play than Khalid, though.

[TalentSpotterPk]

The best option to pair with Sharjeel in Odi's.

36 at 106 with shots all round the wicket is what we need.


Because of Rashid he isn't making a switch from PQA who are relegated. Playing for a Regional side may hurt him bigtime.

[Bade496]

Problem now is that with every game won by Pakistan, chances of players like Fawad or Shahzaib are reduced further.

Hehehe I agree as Pak winning is the best time for selectors, as criticism from explayers & media is low. You are talking about Shahzaib & Alam are not in the team even performers w/ good averages from the current team like Khalid Latif chances are also reduced rofl. They did'nt note any of his match winning performances, strike rate, average in T20 for Pakistan on which basis they have selected Umar Akmal [whose family has leased #4-#6 batting position from PCB for 2 years] and Asad Shafiq from a domestic tournament. Asad shafiq scored 304 whereas Shazaib Hasan made 363 in Natl. T20 Cup.

[Rayyman]

Problem now is that with every game won by Pakistan, chances of players like Fawad or Shahzaib are reduced further.

It might be a bad problem for the individuals, but it is a good problem to have for the team. It means we have good depth.

[asfandyar]

@Suleiman still time to join the band wagon, my friend. Make your moves carefully. Shahzeb has an X factor around him which has multiplied over the past few months. Ask yourself, is Da_Future_Hit's smile, and 122 ball 86 worth dying for?

[Suleiman]

@Suleiman still time to join the band wagon, my friend. Make your moves carefully. Shahzeb has an X factor around him which has multiplied over the past few months. Ask yourself, is Da_Future_Hit's smile, and 122 ball 86 worth dying for?

He's lost his muscles. Umar Amin would beat him in a fight let alone with the bat.

I can't change my decision now. Once you go black you can never go back

Seriously speaking though, have nothing against this guy if you look in the original thread. I just like messing with diehard fans of a given player.

If he succeeds then that is good for Pak cricket.

There is a future where Amin and Shahzeb can both succeed.

[Hasan123]

Hopefully he replaces Latif in the next t20 squad

[Ahson8]

Hopefully he replaces Latif in the next t20 squad

Latif hasn't done anything wrong at all.

[Hasan123]

Latif hasn't done anything wrong at all.

Watch the 1st t20 and you will see. He'll get worked out imo.

[Ahson8]

Watch the 1st t20 and you will see. He'll get worked out imo.

He will get dropped when / if he gets worked out.
Personally think UA & Latif should swap spots, Latif is a beast vs spin and would do well in the middle order.

[Saj]

Watched him in the recent National T20 Cup and he looked a better organised and more mature batsman. Better shot selection also.

[Hasan123]

He will get dropped when / if he gets worked out.
Personally think UA & Latif should swap spots, Latif is a beast vs spin and would do well in the middle order.

I wouldn't mind that. Tbh.

Umar
Sharjeel
Babar
Malik
Sarfraz
Latif


We actually have a power hitter than at the top and lower down!!! Also Latif won't get figured out easily as compared to when he opens.

[MenInG]

Think the opening slots will not be available for a few series....

[cricketfan27]

Great article Saj and a good read! Yes he is definitely a player to look forward to seeing in the near future representing Pakistan! He has worked extremely hard on his fitness, best of luck to him to keep performing and getting selected again INSHALLAH!

[AzharAliFan27]

And he is dropped of psl karachi squad although he done a lot better then noman anwar (sialkot team mate) and iftikhar

[AzharAliFan27]

Latif hasn't done anything wrong at all.

agrree with you atleast latif can make runs at good pace not like uselesss sehzad

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Right now Chris Martin would do better then Azhar so why not give Shahzaib a go. Certainly his fitness has surprised me

[cricketfan27]

Right now Chris Martin would do better then Azhar so why not give Shahzaib a go. Certainly his fitness has surprised me

Yep I agree too, no harm in trying this fellow especially looking at his fitness and ability to bat!

[Seamer]

He should get a chance in the loi team it should be between him and Khalid Latif:

1. Sharjeel Khan
2. Shahzaib Hassan
3. Babar Azam
4. Asad Shafiq
5. Sarfaraz
6. Umar Akmal
7. Imad Wasim
8. Nawaz
9. Amir
10. Wahab Riaz
11. Hassan Ali

Back up players should be Khalid Latif, Aamer Yamin, Rizwan, Asghar,Sohail Khan

[Abdullah719]

31-ball fifty for Shahzaib in the semi-final of the Regional One-Day Cup.

[ahmedwaqas92]

31-ball fifty for Shahzaib in the semi-final of the Regional One-Day Cup.

That Avatar Bro

Great Going Abdullah Brilliant !!

[Stallion__]

Scoring runs the the right time. Hope he remain consistent.

[jeetu]

Pretty impressive performance for Karachi Whites 286/3 (42.0 ov) vs Islamabad in today's match.
171 runs of 117 balls with 6 Sixes.

[mmkextreme_1]

Great innings and that too in a knock out match.

[ask_analyse_act]

how much did he score today..

[JibranAnsari]

Good stuff by shazaib , hope he is in the reckoning for the tour to west indies.

[Uzair Gooner]

how much did he score today..

171

[Hawkeye]

We badly need him and Latif in ODI s.

Just Latif has had such a positive impact along with Sharjeel in t20is.

[ask_analyse_act]

will see what the great future captain shehzad can do chasing 375..

[Hawkeye]

will see what the great future captain shehzad can do chasing 375..

He can only do a blockathon!

[Ahson8]

Shahzaib should bat at 6 in ODIs.

[Mir jibran]

shahzaib is playing for which psl team this year ?

[saeed5646]

shahzaib is playing for which psl team this year ?

karachi kings

[Smbhayi]

everyone is more matured these days

[saeed5646]

everyone is more matured these days

he was good when he was immature(u.akmal) i don,t know what ramiz advises him he have completely lost

his hitting ability with the bat

[Hawkeye]

Shahzaib should bat at 6 in ODIs.

So he struggles and we waste a proper new ball hitter?

He thrives against pace and loves to clear the fence at the top of the order, under field restrictions.

Everyone has a place and where they've played for their life. It's a recipe for disaster if you put him in late order.

[Hawkeye]

everyone is more matured these days

That is THE issue.

We want natural stroke makers and hitters to "mature" and not hit, not play their natural game.

It's causing the downfall of our cricket. Enough of this old ** obsolete mindset.

[LordJames]

Shahzaib should bat at 6 in ODIs.

You want a top order batsmen who primarily hits in the first 10 overs against Pace to bat down the order? Why???

[Syed1]

If you think our fielding is bad now, just wait till you add Shahzaib to the side.

[MenInG]

Brilliant innings by Shahzaib.

[Pete Rose]

If you think our fielding is bad now, just wait till you add Shahzaib to the side.

Tbf fielding fell apart in last odi. Was alright before that.

[mz123]

Tbf fielding fell apart in last odi. Was alright before that.

yeah, thats what I thought. + Sharjeel has taken some excellent catches in the past...

[Rayyman]

If you think our fielding is bad now, just wait till you add Shahzaib to the side.

I think he is fit now. We need him in the team asap.

[ask_analyse_act]

Shahzaib should bat at 6 in ODIs.

like u have gilchrist and sehwag opening now, shahzaib has to bat at no.6..

[Abdullah719]

If you think our fielding is bad now, just wait till you add Shahzaib to the side.

OK let's keep opening with Azhar.

[Syed1]

OK let's keep opening with Azhar.

There is no middle ground?

One choice we have hackiest of hacks and other choice is tuk tuk master.

[Abdullah719]

There is no middle ground?

One choice we have hackiest of hacks and other choice is tuk tuk master.

Did you watch Shahzaib bat? He has a very wide range of shots. And his fitness has improved a lot over the last year or so.

[Syed1]

Did you watch Shahzaib bat? He has a very wide range of shots. And his fitness has improved a lot over the last year or so.

Ok ok I'll select him into the squad, lemme give my pal Inzi a ring

[Abdullah719]

Ok ok I'll select him into the squad, lemme give my pal Inzi a ring

That's the spirit.

I know that the bowling was terrible but Shahzaib seems to think about the game at least. He looks to hit the ball into vacant areas and improvise. Yeah that should be a basic thing... but our batsman seem to lack the know-how.

[Hawkeye]

That's the spirit.

I know that the bowling was terrible but Shahzaib seems to think about the game at least. He looks to hit the ball into vacant areas and improvise. Yeah that should be a basic thing... but our batsman seem to lack the know-how.

Any video of his masterclass today?

[Abdullah719]

Any video of his masterclass today?

Not yet.

[zn426]

Everyone is talking, but does anyone have a wagon wheel for his recent matches? It would go a long way to clearing this debate up.

[Abdullah719]

Everyone is talking, but does anyone have a wagon wheel for his recent matches? It would go a long way to clearing this debate up.

When he was batting after reaching his 100, it was displayed momentarily. He had 15-20 runs towards each part of the ground - of course, some of that had to do with the awfully loose bowling.

[mz123]

When he was batting after reaching his 100, it was displayed momentarily. He had 15-20 runs towards each part of the ground - of course, some of that had to do with the awfully loose bowling.

Any videos ?

[Pete Rose]

It should be mentioned that he hadn't done much in this tournament before this innings

[Hawkeye]

Everyone is talking, but does anyone have a wagon wheel for his recent matches? It would go a long way to clearing this debate up.

Sharjeel scores most of his runs on the leg side too. But can play off.

And he was called a legside hack exactly because of this by most, who couldn't identify his talent.

Shahzaib isn't a Ponting, but he's good enough for us provided he can just go after the ball the start.

It should be mentioned that he hadn't done much in this tournament before this innings

Consistency isn't something that should be high on your list when we talk about batsmen like Sharjeel/Shahzaib.

[Pete Rose]

Sharjeel scores most of his runs on the leg side too. But can play off.

And he was called a legside hack exactly because of this by most, who couldn't identify his talent.

Shahzaib isn't a Ponting, but he's good enough for us provided he can just go after the ball the start.




Consistency isn't something that should be high on your list when we talk about batsmen like Sharjeel/Shahzaib.

Quite to the contrary, Sharjeel has been very consistent this series, improving with every innings. One more domestic tournament to go. He should defeibtely be considered. Even the potential of two aggressive openers makes opposition bowlers think differently about how to bowl.

[Hawkeye]

Quite to the contrary, Sharjeel has been very consistent this series, improving with every innings. One more domestic tournament to go. He should defeibtely be considered. Even the potential of two aggressive openers makes opposition bowlers think differently about how to bowl.

Yeah, he has become consistent now. People would call for his head earlier calling him a hack.

[Pete Rose]

Just a point about those people talking about poor standard of bowling. The nature of the batsman is usually the same regardless of bowling. So it's not sharjeel or shahzaib will bat differently because the bowling at domestic level is poor. They will always bat aggressively. It might take them time to find their feet at the international level as the standard of bowling and fielding is higher. So, to me the lesson is you should select naturally aggressive openers, because if they succeed the upside is far higher than a steady but successful domestic batsman. Examples are Shan Masood and Imam Ul Haq: in their last tournament they were averaging in high 60's but batting at a strike rate of 70- we don't need that.

[Ahson8]

You want a top order batsmen who primarily hits in the first 10 overs against Pace to bat down the order? Why???

like u have gilchrist and sehwag opening now, shahzaib has to bat at no.6..

Team needs an aggressive batsman at 6.

[Hawkeye]

Just a point about those people talking about poor standard of bowling. The nature of the batsman is usually the same regardless of bowling. So it's not sharjeel or shahzaib will bat differently because the bowling at domestic level is poor. They will always bat aggressively. It might take them time to find their feet at the international level as the standard of bowling and fielding is higher. So, to me the lesson is you should select naturally aggressive openers, because if they succeed the upside is far higher than a steady but successful domestic batsman. Examples are Shan Masood and Imam Ul Haq: in their last tournament they were averaging in high 60's but batting at a strike rate of 70- we don't need that.

Yeah but that can be deceiving.

Shehzad strikes at 60s or 70s. Has done this all his career in 7 years. Even the hundred in NZ in 2010/11 was at 70s strike rate.

But his sr is in 90s this tournament and inflated average. Shows the quality of opposition.

[Ahson8]

So he struggles and we waste a proper new ball hitter?

He thrives against pace and loves to clear the fence at the top of the order, under field restrictions.

Everyone has a place and where they've played for their life. It's a recipe for disaster if you put him in late order.

Actually at No. 6 the problem is whoever we've tried has failed against pace. I don't see other options. Latif could be tried at 6 perhaps. I'm sure he'll beast spin, not sure how he'll deal with pace.

[Pete Rose]

Team needs an aggressive batsman at 6.

so find an aggressive number 6. Don't fit square pegs in round holes

[Pete Rose]

Yeah but that can be deceiving.

Shehzad strikes at 60s or 70s. Has done this all his career in 7 years. Even the hundred in NZ in 2010/11 was at 70s strike rate.

But his sr is in 90s this tournament and inflated average. Shows the quality of opposition.

But we know what we get with shehzad, farhat, fawad Alam. So I am not sure if it will apply to every player. So the logical thing for me at least is try new guys.

[Ahson8]

so find an aggressive number 6. Don't fit square pegs in round holes

We don't have one. Sometimes, need to think out of the box. Could give him a run at 6 for a few games to see how he goes.

[ask_analyse_act]

any videos of his 171 inns..

[ask_analyse_act]

Team needs an aggressive batsman at 6.

look at india ... hardik pandya was an IPL find.. they tried manpreet singh, rishi dhawan and hardik pandya in LOIs to fill the pace bowling all-rounder cum finisher to book their places for CT'17 and CWC'19 and got one of them which is hardik pandya...

hammad azam was an u19 wonder and find who played the finisher role so well, misbah's captaincy and his team constantly kept losing in LOIs and couldnt hide in any new player if they have an off day or series.... Some other country hammad azam like talent would have been nurtured into a watson or klusener by now..Pak were able to make out azhar mehmood and razzaq is because they kept winning and had wasim on their back otherwise they wouldnt have made it big... However MISBAH all praise for me for bringing up a shattered test team to no.1 he miserably failed in LOIs...

hammad azam was a perfect foil for no.6 and the role of a batting /pace bowling allrounder... he should be brought back, not sure how good his form is and which PSL team he plays...

[Pete Rose]

We don't have one. Sometimes, need to think out of the box. Could give him a run at 6 for a few games to see how he goes.

For a team that refuses to bat at 5 to 6 an over in most of its odis, the logical answer is not to look for a late hitter it is to look for a top order batsman to ensure you go hard up front. All of these cute ideas of messing around with the position of a new batsman to a high risk postion will destroy the player.

[proud_pakistani]

Just a point about those people talking about poor standard of bowling. The nature of the batsman is usually the same regardless of bowling. So it's not sharjeel or shahzaib will bat differently because the bowling at domestic level is poor. They will always bat aggressively. It might take them time to find their feet at the international level as the standard of bowling and fielding is higher. So, to me the lesson is you should select naturally aggressive openers, because if they succeed the upside is far higher than a steady but successful domestic batsman. Examples are Shan Masood and Imam Ul Haq: in their last tournament they were averaging in high 60's but batting at a strike rate of 70- we don't need that.

I agree with this. The gamble with Sharjeel has to a certain extent paid off and he continues to look a better batsman each time he plays. We have seen the benefits of an aggressive opener is far better than selecting a Shehzad or a Sami Aslam.

Shahzaib has performed consistently and needs to be given a run for primarily 2 reasons - he has shown tremendous improvement since being dropped from the international team and the other being the fact he is naturally aggressive. If one of him or Sharjeel have a good day pakistan will get off to a flier. With them opening and Babar Azam at 3 wud be a good proposition.

[Pete Rose]

I agree with this. The gamble with Sharjeel has to a certain extent paid off and he continues to look a better batsman each time he plays. We have seen the benefits of an aggressive opener is far better than selecting a Shehzad or a Sami Aslam.

Shahzaib has performed consistently and needs to be given a run for primarily 2 reasons - he has shown tremendous improvement since being dropped from the international team and the other being the fact he is naturally aggressive. If one of him or Sharjeel have a good day pakistan will get off to a flier. With them opening and Babar Azam at 3 wud be a good proposition.

Totally agree with the last part. If you look at the 4th odi, even though we were chasing a huge total we were in with a chance till the 25th over only because of the blistering innings played by sharjeel. Imagine if the top three were sharjeel, shahzaib, and babar in that game. Potentially could have gone at 8 an over keeping us in the game longer