Aakash Chopra believes that Shadab Khan is a serious contender to be the best all-rounder in the World Cup 2023. The quadrangular 50-over global event will be played in India from October 5 to November 19. Shadab is expected to lead Pakistan’s spin-bowling attack in the tournament apart from scoring quick runs in the lower-middle order.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra named Hardik Pandya, Chris Woakes, and Mitchell Marsh as some of the contenders to be the best all-rounder in the tournament. However, he feels Shadab is a more serious candidate based on the number of players he has seen in the last year or so. he explained:
“Shadab Khan, this is a serious name. He is a genuine all-rounder. He has scored 284 runs in 10 matches, which means an average of nearly 30, which is not bad at all considering the number at which he bats. We have not added the numbers of yesterday’s match here.”
The former Indian opener pointed out that the Pakistan all-rounder has been consistent with both bat and ball. He elaborated:
“He has picked up 12 wickets in 10 matches and has an economy of 5.14. He has bowled 87 overs. So he bowls nearly nine overs every time and has played 256 balls as well, which means he bats 25 balls per match. He is a proper all-rounder. The World Cup will be in India, so he is a serious contender.”
Aakash Chopra said that if the list of best all-rounders is prepared before the World Cup, Shadab’s name should figure in it. He believes that being a spin-bowling all-rounder can also work in his favor as the conditions may not be conducive for seam-bowling all-rounders.
“Shakib Al Hasan Is The Daddy Of All-Rounders” – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes that Shakib Al Hasan is the most skillful all-rounder. he argued:
“Shakib Al Hasan is the daddy of all-rounders. He owned the 2019 World Cup, his performance was that good. He has scored 331 runs in nine matches, it’s a fairly decent average. He has scored three half-centuries. He has played 368 balls, which means he plays more than 40 balls per match.”
The iconic commentator believes that the Bangladesh legend is the frontrunner among all-rounders. They said:
“He has picked up 16 wickets as well. He has bowled 64 overs, so he bowls a decent number of overs as well. He has an economy of 4.84 and is picking up nearly two wickets per match. Everyone else on one side and Shakib Al Hasan on the other.”
Cricketer-turned-commentator said that Shakib Al Hasan and Shadab Khan are currently looking ahead in the race for all-rounders. He concluded by naming Bas de Leede as an out-of-the-box contender, given his exploits in helping the Netherlands qualify for the World Cup.
