All-rounder Khushdil Shah has denied reports that he was considering quitting Pakistan cricket following his prolonged absence from the national team.
Shah, who made his debut for Pakistan in November 2019, has thus far represented the national team in 15 ODIs and 38 T20Is, with his last appearance for the Green Shirts coming at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup last year.
The 31-year-old played one match at the continental tournament, in the group stage against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and scored four runs. He failed to retain his spot in Pakistan’s playing XI for the remainder of the Asia Cup and was subsequently dropped entirely from the side.
Amid his absence from the national team, a two-month-old interview resurfaced on the internet on Friday, in which another national all-rounder Abbas Afridi claimed Shah had told him that he only had around four months left in him and if he did not receive the national team call-up until then, he would have to leave Pakistan.
The claim quickly gained traction on social media, leading to speculations that Shah was planning to draw the curtains on his professional cricketing career with Pakistan.
However, the all-rounder took to his Instagram stories on Friday to issue a clarification, in which he deemed the reports “fake” and “completely untrue”, adding that representing Pakistan had always been an honour and supreme priority for him.
“There’s fake news going around claiming I’m leaving Pakistan cricket and it’s completely untrue,” Shah wrote.
“Pakistan is my home, and representing this country has always been my top priority and greatest [honour],” he added.
He requested his fans not to believe the rumours before reiterating his commitment towards Pakistan cricket.
“Please don’t believe these baseless [rumours]. My commitment to Pakistan cricket has never changed and never will.”