Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah spoke openly about being dropped from the Pakistan team on the occasion of PSL 2026.
Shah was speaking on the post-match show after his match-winning performance for Karachi Kings against Lahore Qalandars on April 23. He scored unbeaten 44 runs in just 14 balls to help Kings win.
Khushdil Shah’s match winning performance
Karachi Kings, facing a target of 200 runs, were at 166-5 and needed 34 runs from the last three overs. Khushdil was at the crease with his captain David Warner.
After this, Shah gave 23 runs to Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 18th over, which included 3 sixes and a four. In the next over, Khushdil hit two sixes off consecutive balls from Haris Rauf, helping Karachi win the match with 8 balls to spare.
This performance earned Khushdil the Player of the Match award.
“I am different among all the players of Pakistan”: Khushdil Shah
Khushdil Shah: “I’m different from everyone else
• I am not on social media, nor am I upset that I have been treated unfairly. I scored 700, 800 runs at No. 5 or 6 in domestic cricket, yet I was dropped from the team.” pic.twitter.com/qmGvWDwHCq
– SherAli (@Sher__Ali) 24 April 2026
While talking to former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja after the match, Khushdil talked about his exclusion from the Pakistan side.
He said, “Among all the players of Pakistan, I am different from everyone. Nor do I post verses from the Quran on social media and say that injustice has happened to me or is happening to me. Recently in domestic cricket, while being ranked fifth or sixth, I scored 700-800 runs and also scored double centuries, even more than 150, that is, I played big innings. But despite this, I was dropped from the team.”
Since making his debut for Pakistan in 2019, Khushdil Shah has been in and out of the team, playing 15 ODIs and 38 T20Is. He has not featured for the national team since September 2025.
He also talked about his desire to create maximum impact for his team.
“Our team needed it badly. The position I bat in, the aim is to win 1-2 matches from there. This is the toughest position to bat in (No. 7). If you get out, the bowlers are next. I have been struggling in this position for the last 6-7 years. Want to create maximum impact for the team with some hits. Credit to the captain [David Warner] To take the game deeper.”
Khushdil Shah’s performance in PSL 2026
Although he was the player of the match, Khushdil Shah’s performance in the remaining matches was nothing special.
He has scored only 109 runs in 9 matches at an average of 15.57. He has also taken 8 wickets, but they have come at an economy of 9.67.
Karachi Kings will be hoping that Khushdil can maintain their form as they make one last attempt to qualify for the playoffs.
Karachi Kings qualification scenario for PSL 2026
Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans and Islamabad United have all already qualified for the PSL 2026 playoffs.
Karachi Kings have only one match left in the league stage of PSL and it is important to win this match. Even if they win, they will need other results to go in their favor due to the poor NRR. This last match is an afternoon match on Saturday, April 25, where they will face Quetta Gladiators.
Also Read: QU vs KAR Dream11 Match Today, Dream11 Team Today, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update – PSL 2026, Match 37
