Pakistan’s big-hitting all-rounder Khushdil Shah recently spoke about his Pakistan teammate Babar Azam’s difficulties against left-arm spinners. Shah, who plays alongside Azam in the national team, acknowledged that the Pakistani skipper “struggles a bit” when facing left-arm spin.
In an interview with ARY News, Khushdil Shah explained that whenever he bowls to Azam, he focuses on maintaining a disciplined line and length to challenge the batsman. “I bowl to him in the Pakistan team. He struggles a bit against left-arm spinners. I try to bowl with discipline to him,” Shah said.
This candid admission sheds light on Azam’s well-known weakness against spin, a challenge that he has been actively working to improve. Despite this, Azam continues to perform at a high level, captaining the Peshawar Zalmi in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL). Azam amassed 288 runs in 10 matches during PSL 2025, with three fifties, an average of 36, and a strike rate of 128.57.
As for Khushdil Shah, he also had a strong PSL season. Playing for Karachi Kings, Shah scored 253 runs in 11 matches, including a top score of 60. His batting average stood at 36.14, with an impressive strike rate of 156.17. Shah also contributed with the ball, taking seven wickets at an average of 34.85 and an economy rate of 9.03.
After PSL 10, Pakistan faced Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series. While Azam was not selected, Khushdil Shah played all three matches. However, he struggled with the bat, managing only five runs. On the bowling front, Shah claimed two wickets with an average of 15.50 and an economy rate of 7.75.
Currently, Pakistan is touring Bangladesh for another three-match T20I series in Mirpur. Azam has once again been overlooked, but Khushdil Shah remains a key member of the team. In the first T20I, Pakistan lost by seven wickets, and Shah scored 17 runs.
As the series continues, fans will be watching closely to see how Khushdil Shah and the team perform in the upcoming matches, including the second T20I scheduled for July 22.
In other news, check out the latest update on the WCL 2025 points table, with Pakistan and South Africa leading the standings
