Pakistan’s newest white-ball sensation, Shahzaib Khan slammed his second consecutive century in the ongoing Under-19 Asia Cup and stamped his authority once again in the competition.
He was at his imperial best against India, scoring in excess of 150 and the talented southpaw once again showed his calibre with a refined century and has knocked on the doors of the selectors.
The opener stole the show with 10 sixes and five fours off 147 balls to steer Pakistan to 281/7. His innings is now the highest score ever made against India U-19 in a Youth ODI, surpassing the previous record of 134 set by Sami Aslam back in 2012. It is also the second-highest score by a Pakistani in Youth ODIs, just behind the legendary Shahid Afridi’s 169.
In a panel discussion with PTV Sports, former cricketer Mohammad Hafeez said that Shahzaib has the ability to express despite not being familiar with technicalities.
“It shows his mental state and at this age, to be able to take that pressure and deliver is good to witness for Pakistan,” he said.
“Shahzaib Khan is the runaway train of Pakistan’s future,” one fan tweeted, while another hailed him as the “rising star of Pakistan’s future”.
Some Pakistani fans used the Under-19 win as an opportunity to take a dig at India’s refusal to come to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. “Pakistani boys solved the security issue of the Indian team even before the start of the Champions Trophy,” one person wrote on X