table of contents
After creating fresh drama in Pakistan cricket with his indirect attack on Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah has courted a new controversy. The Pakistan all-rounder re-shared a post questioning Shadab Khan’s selection in the ODI team, which left everyone completely shocked.
The timing of Shah’s activity raised questions as Pakistan had recently announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the Australian national cricket team. Soon after the squad was announced, fans started questioning some surprising selection calls, especially the withdrawal of Shadab Khan and the omission of some senior and young players.
Khushdil Shah’s viral repost creates fresh drama in Pakistan
Major changes were seen in Pakistan’s ODI team for the Australia tour. Players like Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan have returned, while former captain Mohammad Rizwan and Khushdil Shah were dropped from the team and Shaheen Afridi was made the captain.
Also read: Vijay Shankar announces retirement from Indian cricket to explore SA20, ILT20, BBL opportunities
Interestingly, the uncapped trio of Ahmed Daniel, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir have been selected for the ODI series starting on May 30 at home.
Following the team announcement, an X account named ‘Caught at Silly Point’ posted a tweet questioning the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about Shadab’s relevance in ODIs in 2026. The post also raised questions on several other decisions of the Pakistan team management and selection committee.
‘After all, how is Shadab considered still relevant in ODIs in 2026?’
Khushdil Shah posted on
And are we sure that the Rizwan chapter in ODI is closed? So will their replacements, Rohail and Gauri, fully justify their replacement? Where is Saad Masood? You selected him in the last series and now removed him? Were you wrong then, or are you wrong now?”
The matter worsened when Khushdil Shah shared this post from his official account. Since Khushdil himself was not selected for the ODI team, many felt that the all-rounder was indirectly expressing his disappointment over the selection process.
Khushdil Shah reposted a tweet against Shadab Khan.
– For the first time an active cricketer has spoken against Shadab Khan. pic.twitter.com/4fw6N8ezx6
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 22 May 2026
Usman Khan ruled out of Australia series due to illness
On the other hand, Salman Ali Aga, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamil Hussain, who were part of Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh, have been selected for the upcoming ODI series against the Australian team.
Also read: Why is Jacob Bethel not playing today’s match against SRH?
Usman Khan will not go on the tour due to illness. Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been selected as wicketkeeper-batsmen in the team. This will be Australia’s first ODI series in Pakistan since 2022, when Pakistan won the series 2-1 on home soil. Earlier this year, Pakistan won the T20 series 3-0 against Australia in Lahore.
Pakistan team for Australia ODI:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Aga, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamil Hussain and Sufyan Mokim.