LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan’s vice-captain and star all-rounder Shadab Khan is likely to miss the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery earlier this month in the United Kingdom.
According to sources, Shadab Khan had been struggling with shoulder pain for some time, which affected both his bowling and fielding. The 26-year-old all-rounder underwent surgery in the United Kingdom earlier in July after aggravating the issue that had already ruled him out of Pakistan’s recent T20I assignments against Bangladesh and the ongoing West Indies tour.
It is estimated that Shadab will require a minimum of three months to achieve full fitness, making a return before October improbable.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the United Arab Emirates in T20 format. Pakistan is set to kick off their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by a high-profile clash with India on September 14. Shadab Khan’s absence will be a major blow to the squad, not just because of his bowling skills, but also due to his leadership as the T20 vice-captain.
So far, there has been no official announcement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding a replacement for Shadab Khan. The team is currently on a tour of the West Indies, and the selection committee is likely to consider options for both his on-field role and vice-captaincy duties.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet confirmed any replacement for the T20 vice-captaincy.
During the recent series against Bangladesh, no deputy was named in Shadab’s absence, and the squad currently touring the Caribbean also lacks a designated second-in-command to stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha.
An official update on Shadab’s rehabilitation timeline has yet to be released by the PCB.
Shadab Khan’s stats
Shadab Khan has been a key player in Pakistan’s limited-overs teams. He has represented Pakistan in 6 Test matches, 70 ODIs, and 112 T20Is, scoring 1,947 runs and taking 211 wickets across all formats. His experience and all-round performance have often played a crucial role in Pakistan’s success, especially in the T20 format.
With the ICC T20 World Cup also on the horizon, the team management is expected to monitor his recovery closely.
