Pakistani spinner Shadab Khan might return to CPL

After lifting the Champions Trophy for the first time, the Pakistani cricketers saw themselves placed in either a team from English county championship or from the Caribbean Premier League. As of now, many Pakistanis have performed exceedingly well at both the competitions, becoming the driving force of the team. As of Trinbago Knight Riders, leg-spinner Shadab Khan has become a vital cog in the table toppers’ well-oiled machine.

But the Shah Rukh Khan owned franchise suffered a major setback when they heard that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called back its players. Pakistan will play against the World XI side next month before Sri Lanka visits them. PCB wants their cricketers in great shape and hence has asked them to start preparing early. However, Shadab can still join the TKR again later this month.

The team’s director Venky Mysore is hoping that they will get the services of the player again. “All the players when they got their NOCs would have signed on for going back home in the event that their national team needed them. Shadab is a big blow but we have to abide by the terms and conditions set out in the NOC,” said Venky, as quoted by Guardian.

“There is a possibility that he may return to the Caribbean because, by August 25, the PCB has to name their team to play against the World XI. If he is not on the team, then we will bring him back. Even if he gets selected there is no guarantee that this match will come off because the PCB still needs to get security clearance for the matches. So it is not all lost yet as far as Shadab is concerned,” the CEO of the Knight Riders further added.

Shadab’s replacement will be announced soon

Although Venky is hoping for Shadab’s return, his deputies have started scouting for a perfect replacement. Mysore confirmed that it will be announced soon, by saying “For the moment the management has been working on a replacement and this will be announced soon. I want to say thank you to Shadab for his wonderful efforts in this tournament and to wish him all the best,” he concluded.