All-rounder Khushdil Shah has backtracked on his earlier statement hinting at the possibility of leaving Pakistan amid his prolonged absence from the national team.
Shah, who made his debut for Pakistan in November 2019, has played 15 ODIs and 38 T20Is for the national side. His last T20 appearance was against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in September 2025, and he has since failed to retain his place in the playing XI.
Earlier this week, a clip from an interview showed Shah with fellow all-rounder Abbas Afridi, who claimed he had told him how Shah “only had a few months left to secure a national team recall” before considering to leave Pakistan.
The host suggested Shah’s comments could have been driven by emotion, but Shah disagreed.
“No, it’s not about being emotional. Whatever is in my heart comes out through my words. If people don’t like me, that’s fine, but they shouldn’t be unfair to me,” Shah said.
The claim gained traction on social media Friday, sparking speculation that Shah was preparing to end his career with the national team.
He responded by posting a clarification on his Instagram stories, calling the reports “fake” and “completely untrue”, and backtracking on the statement he made during said interview.
Shah also said representing Pakistan has always been an honour and his top priority. “There’s fake news going around claiming I’m leaving Pakistan cricket and it’s completely untrue,” he wrote on X.
“Pakistan is my home, and representing this country has always been my top priority and greatest [honour],” he added.
Shah also asked fans not to believe the rumours and reaffirmed his commitment to the national team.
“Please don’t believe these baseless [rumours]. My commitment to Pakistan cricket has never changed and never will.”
In 38 T20Is, Shah has scored 434 runs at an average of 17.36 with a strike rate of 104.07. In 15 ODIs, he has scored 328 runs at an average of 32.80 and a strike rate of 98.20, including one half-century and a top score of 69.
Shah was Pakistan’s highest run-scorer at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on home soil, scoring a half-century against New Zealand and 38 against India.
