“Rehab breaks you mentally”, says Shadab Khan

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan spoke candidly about the mental toll of injury rehabilitation, handling criticism at the international level, and his firm belief in Babar Azam during a brief media interaction held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Monday, 26th January. Speaking after his return to the national setup, Shadab shared rare insight into the pressures and challenges faced by elite cricketers away from the spotlight.

Fresh off his return to the national setup, Shadab didn’t sugarcoat the darkest phase of a cricketer’s journey life away from the field.

“Rehab is the hardest thing when you are injured,” Shadab said. “You don’t have motivation, you don’t know what to do. But when you finally come back to the team, that happiness is different.”

The 27-year-old described rehabilitation as mentally exhausting, a period filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and the constant fight to stay motivated while watching the game move on without you.

For Shadab, however, setbacks have also brought clarity. Representing Pakistan, he believes, means accepting scrutiny as part of the responsibility.

“When you don’t perform well, you will be criticised,” he stated. “Everyone wants you to do well for Pakistan. If you don’t, then criticism is natural.”

Addressing the spotlight on senior players, Shadab directly spoke about Babar Azam, who has faced heavy criticism over his recent T20 performances.

“The bigger the player, the more the criticism,” Shadab remarked. “Babar is Pakistan’s biggest player. He didn’t do well recently, but people forget how strong his process is. I’ve seen Babar from the beginning. When your process is right, results eventually come.”

Shadab pointed out that public debate often revolves solely around results, while the preparation, discipline, and long-term process behind performances are overlooked.

Speaking about his own role, Shadab underlined his adaptability within the team, identifying himself primarily as a bowling all-rounder who adjusts based on form.

“When my bowling isn’t working, I focus more on batting,” he explained. “But I know that when I bowl well, I will always be in the team. Wherever I play, I try to give 100 percent in bowling, batting, and fielding.”

The all-rounder also revealed that his injury required major surgery and months of personal struggle, a phase he credits his family and medical team for helping him survive.

“When you are out for a long time, you have to motivate yourself,” Shadab said. “My family supported me a lot, and Dr Javed helped me immensely. Even when I couldn’t bowl properly, I kept learning mental and tactical aspects of the game.”

At a time when Pakistan cricket is surrounded by criticism, transition, and pressure, Shadab Khan’s words serve as a reminder that behind every performance lies a silent fight — one fought in rehab rooms, away from crowds, headlines, and scorecards.