Shadab Khan, the Pakistani all-rounder, achieved a notable milestone by securing his maiden hat-trick in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 during the match between Colombo Strikers and B-Love Kandy. His stellar performance contributed significantly to the Strikers’ commanding 51-run victory at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Despite this remarkable achievement, Shadab has faced criticism from fans.
Although Shadab’s hat-trick was only the second in LPL history, fans took to social media to troll him, questioning his commitment and performance for the Pakistan national team. This backlash comes in the wake of Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, where Shadab’s contributions were notably underwhelming. He managed just one wicket in his last nine T20I matches and struggled with the bat, recording several low scores.
After the match, Shadab was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance, having taken four wickets for just 22 runs in his four overs. In his post-match comments, Shadab shared insights into his strategy, highlighting the importance of taking the game deep to better handle the pacers. He also expressed his surprise and joy at achieving his first hat-trick.
Despite the accolades, the criticism from fans remains a stark reminder of the high expectations placed on international players and the scrutiny they face, particularly when their performances for their national team fall short of expectations.
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