In the press conference after the win, he said that the main objective of our coaches and mentors was to prepare the team. “We wanted to give an opportunity to the youth so that they can develop and represent Pakistan in the future.”

Captaining the team, Shadab’s all-round role was instrumental in the Panthers’ victory, as he lifted his second piece of silverware in 2024, six months after Islamabad United’s victory in the PSL. However, Shadab has endured a difficult year – particularly with the bat – in terms of his form, although the last three weeks have given the man once Pakistan’s golden boy reason to smile. In the Champions Cup in Faisalabad, he contributed with the bat or the ball apart from the opening game.

Importantly, Shadab found better control of the ball, delivering more in the right places – something he has struggled with in the recent past. He credited him with finding his rhythm, and wanted to continue working on it. Shadab said he will “definitely play as many Red Ball games as possible” this season.

“Personally, I need to improve more,” he admitted. “But things are getting better because I haven’t bowled long spells recently. I bowled long spells in this tournament and that gave me more confidence. But before I reach this level I have a lot of time. It’s time.”

Shadab also outlined his broader philosophy – both for himself and for those he leads. “We wanted to focus on action rather than outcome. We’re an emotional country – when we get results, we get really high, and when we don’t, we hit rock bottom. We zigzagging in this emotional cycle. What we can control is, not up and down, so we try not to think about the outcome.”

Ali Raza’s mindset belies his age. The way he is bowling, I think he can be a useful asset to the Pakistan team in the future.

Shadab Khan on Panthers’ 16-year-old fast bowler

The result, though, took care of itself. After a brilliant start by Markhors, Shadab and his fellow bowlers unleashed a spectacular disaster, as Markhors’ last eight wickets fell for just 40 runs. Shadab took one of his wickets in the three overs he bowled, and with the bat, a strong breeze and an unbeaten 14 off 9 balls helped his side comfortably over the line. Because the Panthers achieved the target with 32 overs to spare.

Shadab didn’t think there were too many demons on the pitch, instead crediting his team with good bowling. He said that I do not think of any particular number to limit the opposition. “I think we bowled really well to get them out so cheaply. We wanted to put as much pressure on them as possible because that’s where the team makes mistakes, and that’s where you can get quick wickets. High. In pressure matches, it’s difficult to build partnerships.”

“Ali Raza’s mentality belies his age,” said Shadab. “The way he is bowling, I think he can be a useful asset to the Pakistan team in the future.” We need to be careful with him because he is still young and his body is still fragile. Because of this, he gets injured.”

Shadab will know more and more the importance of giving confidence to young bowlers. His own breakout role under the national spotlight came in 2017 as a 17-year-old before he played a key role in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy victory later that year. Islamabad, for whom Shadab went on to play in the PSL, trusted him enough to make him vice-captain at 20 and captain at 21.

But while Shadab’s form with the ball has been shaky for most of his career, his tactics as captain have rarely been questioned. It is perhaps little wonder that he does not feel that youth is a barrier to success.

“We are inexperienced,” says Shadab of the team with the youngest average age in the Champions Cup, “but we have won the tournament.”