INTERVIEW: Shadab Khan looks ahead to Lancashire stint
Lancashire Cricket’s latest Vitality Blast recruit Shadab Khan says “second thoughts never came into my mind” when the chance to sign for Lightning arose.
The Pakistan international has signed for Lancs for the remainder of the Vitality Blast, replacing Chris Green who was ruled out through injury. He will be available for the trip to the Upton Steel County Ground on Friday to face Leicestershire Foxes.
Speaking to LancsTV, the 27-year-old was quick to highlight the fact that he did not hesitate when he was offered the chance to play for the club and follow in the footsteps of the great Wasim Akram.
“This is one of the biggest clubs, and our [Pakistan’s] legends have played here as well. So, second thoughts never came into my mind not to do it. When the opportunity came, I said yes. It’s that type of club.
“Hopefully the things he [Akram] did for Lancashire, hopefully if I do 50% of those things, it will be great for me.”
Shadab is vastly experienced having played franchise cricket across the world and 124 T20is for Pakistan, for whom he is vice-captain.
Yet, having played Blast cricket for Yorkshire and Sussex Sharks, he says the competition is one of the best he’s played in.
“It’s like a home type of a feeling. The Blast is always, I think, [a tournament] I like the most out the competitions because it’s like home.
“It’s hard, as well. I think as a bowler, I think this is the hardest, because of the boundary dimensions and how the pitches are behaving. So, I think as a bowler, it’s the hardest competition.
Bowling in the Blast is a challenge the all-rounder has risen to in the past. The leg-spinner has taken 21 wickets in the competition to date, along with 374 runs at a healthy strike rate of 138.
Playing in front of the home crowd at Emirates Old Trafford is something Shadab is particularly excited about, especially facing Yorkshire in the Roses clash.
“I played the Roses game back in 2022. I was the other side, so now, hopefully with the Red Rose, now, hopefully we can start winning and everything, get some momentum.
“I remember the atmosphere was amazing. That was an away game for me, but this time it will be a home game for me. So, definitely I will try to enjoy the occasion. My other friends from Pakistan are playing for the other side, so hopefully we beat them.”
You can see Shadab in action for the first time on Friday, when Lightning travel to the Midlands to take on the Foxes. His first game at Emirates Old Trafford comes on July 1st against Derbyshire Falcons.
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