Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has voiced his frustration over persistent claims linking his cricketing career to his personal relationship with Saqlain Mushtaq — a narrative he believes undermines his hard-earned achievements on the field. Shadab, who has been Saqlain Mushtaq’s son-in-law for two years, addressed the speculation in a recent interview, making it clear that his place in the national team is built on years of hard work — not family ties.
“I’ve been performing long before my marriage,” he said defiantly. Speaking candidly about the criticism, the Islamabad United captain pointed out that he has been representing Pakistan at the international level for nearly seven years, delivering standout performances across formats.
“I’ve been playing for Pakistan for the last six to seven years and have had some memorable performances during this period,” Shadab said. “It really hurts when people reduce all of that to just a personal connection.”
The 25-year-old was particularly disappointed that some of these remarks have come from former cricketers — individuals he feels should understand the struggles every player faces behind the scenes.
“It’s especially painful when ex-players say these things,” he added. “They’ve been through the grind themselves. They know the sacrifices and the unseen hard work that goes into building a career at this level.”
While addressing the controversy, Shadab Khan was quick to credit Saqlain Mushtaq — currently serving as a mentor with the Pakistan Cricket Board — for playing a crucial role in refining his bowling skills.
“Saqlain Mushtaq has been working closely with me to improve my bowling,” Shadab revealed. “With his guidance, I’m hopeful that I can deliver more consistent performances going forward.”
Saqlain Mushtaq remains one of the most prominent figures within the PCB, and this criticism surrounding his association with Shadab Khan is not likely to die down any time soon.
Shadab, though, has sent a clear message — he wants his cricket to speak for itself.
Despite the noise around his personal life, the all-rounder remains focused on contributing to Pakistan’s success on the field and silencing critics the only way he knows how: with performances that matter.
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