KARACHI: Former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu on Monday hailed young Shadab Khan as a sensational discovery for Pakistan cricket and said that the youngster has all the qualities to be a match-winner for the country in all formats of the game.

Speaking to media after Shadab’s brilliant three-wicket spell against the West Indies in the first T20 in Brid­getown on Sunday, Sallu said: “Pakistan Super League’s second edition has given Pakistan some fine young newcomers like Fakhar Zaman, Osama Mir, Mohammad Asghar and others, but none better than Shadab who displayed his potential on his international debut on Sunday. He will however have to guard against the opposition working him out through video footage etc and will have to constantly improve as a cricketer.”

The former Test player added that after Imad Wasim, Shadab has emerged as another fine all-rounder who is also a fantastic fielder. “This lad is Pakistan’s future and I am sure he will win many games for the team in the near future,” said Sallu.

When asked to comment on the unfortunate PSL spot-fixing scandal, Sallu said an individual’s act cannot take the shine off a grand event such as the PSL. “Like every Pakistan cricket fan, I am also disappointed by the fixing scandal, but the PSL has become such a big hit all around the world that such incidents, which are mainly the acts of some individuals, cannot jeopardize its future.”

Praising PSL chief Najam Sethi’s brilliant and untiring efforts in enhancing the image of Pakistan cricket by putting together the wonderful extravaganza, Sallu said: “Sethi sahab’s vision and hardwork has paid off handsomely with the success of PSL and holding the grand final in Lahore was a befitting conclusion for which the PCB deserves all the credit.”

“The PCB has set up a competent tribunal to probe the spot-fixing scam which includes the reputable LHC judge Justice Asghar Haider and former PCB chairman Tauqir Zia, so I am confident that they will ensure justice is done in the case.”

“All around the world, such inquiries are conducted by the cricket boards and the concerned authorities,” Sallu poi­nted out. “In the 2010 spot-fixing case in England, the ICC penalized the three guilty players — Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif — while applying the law of UK just because then PCB chairman Ejaz Butt refused to take action against them.”

Sallu, however, emphasised the need to groom and educate the players about the laws and to abstain from corrupt and foul practices in order to serve the country better in the game.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2017