Follow UsShadab Khan might not be a regular feature on Pakistan’s all-format sides; however, his interactions with Virat Kohli have left a deep impact on him.
Shadab, who was a member of the Champions Trophy-winning Pakistan team in 2017, which defeated India in the final to lift the title, told on Geo network’s show ‘Hasna Mana Hai’ how Kohli’s discipline sets him apart from any international cricket he has played against.
“Ek toh uska jo routine hai, work ethics. Discipline bahut zyada hai. (His work ethics really stand out. He has immense discipline)," Shadab said.
“Mentally bahut zyada strong ho gaye hai, kyuki vo jis level par thei, khel khel kar bhi hota hai insaan, lekin mujhe lagta hai ki vo discipline ki wajah se bahut zyada… Discipline ka bahut fark hai Virat aur bakiyo mein. (He is extremely strong mentally as well, and that along with his discipline is the reason he has reached there. Discipline is what separates Virat from others)."
Shadab also said that despite being one of the biggest cricketing stars to ever play the game, Kohli is still extremely down to earth and doesn’t act like he does on TV.
“Bahut acha hai, jitna bada vo superstar hai, agar aap usse miloge toh apko kabhi bhi vo feel nahi karwayega. (He is very good. As big a superstar as he is, if you meet him, you will never feel that way)," Shadab added.
“Aur sabse pehle vo khud baat shuru karta hai. Mujhe lagta hai, as a human, vo bahut acha hai. TV par shayad aisa lgta hai ki bahut zyada aggressive hai lekin nature-wise bahut acha hai. (And first of all, he starts the conversation himself. I feel that as a human, he is very good. On TV, it may seem that he is too aggressive but nature-wise he is very good)."
When asked if there’s one cricketer from India who he’d love to play for Pakistan, Shadab chose Hardik Pandya. Notably, Pandya threatened to take the game away from Pakistan in the 2017 final on many occasions, even hitting Shadab for three sixes in a row.
“Hum ek cheez lack kar rahe hai, fast bowling allrounder. Aur agar us type ka all-rounder hume mil jayega toh humari Pakistan team ka combination bahut acha ho jayega. (We are lacking one thing and that’s a fast bowling allrounder. If we get an allrounder of his kind, our team combination will get a lot better)," Shadab said.