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Shadab Khan Frustrated With Nepotism Allegations
Follow UsThe Pakistan all-rounder’s selection was being criticised as a favour by father-in-law Saqlain Mushtaq, who’s a PCB mentor and former head coach
Shadab Khan, who is set to play in the 2025 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), expressed his frustration to the media in Rawalpindi over the allegations of nepotism made against him and his father-in-law, Saqlain Mushtaq, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) mentor.
Mushtaq is one of the five mentors appointed by PCB, has been the International men’s team head coach, and is involved with the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
Shadab, who married Mushtaq’s daughter two years ago, has been out of the Pakistan side since the 2024 T20 World Cup. He recently returned to the T20I side in the recently concluded tour of New Zealand, where he was also the vice-captain. However, the team was trampled 1-4 by the Kiwis in the five-match T20I series.
“It is frustrating and disappointing to hear such things because my career is nearly seven years long,” Shadab said, responding to the nepotism allegations.
“I have given some good performances since debuting for Pakistan. Yes, I am learning a lot from Saqlain Mushtaq because of his strong cricket coaching background. But it does not mean he is doing me favours.
“It hurts when the connection with Saqlain Mushtaq is repeatedly brought up. I have been trying to improve my bowling by working with my father-in-law because I consider myself more beneficial to the team as a bowler than a batter.”
Shadab won the PSL last year with Islamabad United and is set to be a star player once again in the marquee tournament.