In recent years, Khushdil Shah Pakistan future has been in the spotlight as the spin-bowling all-rounder has been constantly left out from the international cricket squad despite his impressive performances at the domestic level.
The development comes after the recent re-release of a video recording of a 31-year-old expressing his disillusionment that he has not been rewarded for his devotion to domestic cricket. Khushdil last played for Pakistan in an ACC Men’s Asia Cup group match against the UAE last September and though he has fallen out of the selection process has not been part of any other selection list.
Statistically-speaking, Khushdil emphasised his contribution as an argument for rethinking. He had always produced good run scores in the lower middle order in the pressure positions of No. 5, 6 and 7, where he may not have had as many opportunities to hit the ball as he might have had in the top-order batting position.
His claim that he was the only batter in Pakistan to accumulate 700–800 runs in those shots is a challenge to the existing selection policies based on data. This puts the discussion not only at the level of individual dissatisfaction but also as a general discussion of transparency in role-based performance evaluation and selection.
Statements like this reflect the existing rift in Pakistan cricket over the pathway issue between domestic performance and selection for international cricket. Domestic players want to see a quantifiable improvement, especially in the national opportunities element, and if this is lacking in the progression model, they become disillusioned.
It seems like Khushdil is not officially retiring, although the possibility of his retirement releases the possibility of risk to hold on to his talent, especially that of experienced players that play in niche middle order positions.
The situation could lead to a rethink in selection committees, particularly as Pakistan is still tinkering with the balance of the team in all formats. For the time being Khushdil’s international career is not in the cards, and his remarks fuelled further questions about consistency of selection.
