After Islamabad United’s dominant six-wicket win over Karachi Kings at the National Bank Cricket Stadium, Shadab Khan wasn’t just leading with the bat — he was leading with words too.
In the post-match press conference, the Islamabad United skipper didn’t hold back when asked about the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) role in shaping national team players — especially since some PSL stars often underperform on the international stage.
Shadab Khan, who played a match-winning knock of 47 off 40 balls, was quick to defend the league. And he did so with logic and calm confidence.
“Your best local talent plays in the PSL. That means those who don’t perform or aren’t even part of PSL are considered even lower in standard. So how can you judge fairly?”
In simpler terms, Shadab was saying: If the top-tier local talent is already in the PSL, then anyone outside of it is playing at a lower level. So why expect them to perform better internationally?
He also highlighted something a lot of fans can relate to: “As a nation, we’re too judgmental; this is something we need to overcome.”
The PSL is often blamed whenever the national team falters. But as Shadab Khan pointed out, the league is where Pakistan’s finest domestic players showcase their skills, often under high pressure and against world-class opponents.
If they’re struggling internationally, maybe it’s not about the league’s standard. Maybe it’s about how we manage player development, expectations, or even mental conditioning.
Let’s not forget the game itself. Chasing just 129 runs, Islamabad United made light work of it, wrapping up the chase in 17.1 overs.
It wasn’t a flashy knock from Shadab, but it was a captain’s innings — steady, mature, and timely. His 47-run knock guided his team home and showed once again why Islamabad is one of the most consistent franchises in PSL history.
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