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Speaking to PakPassion.net, Pakistan Twenty20 World Cup winner Shahzaib Hasan Khan stated that Shahid Afridi and Younus Khan were his inspirations during the Twenty/20 World Cup. "When I was chosen to play, Younus came up to me and said that play your natural game, dont worry about anything, just be yourself and do your best".

by Saj Sadiq

23rd November 2009

Speaking to PakPassion.net, Pakistan Twenty20 World Cup winner Shahzaib Hasan Khan stated that Shahid Afridi and Younus Khan were his inspirations during the Twenty/20 World Cup.

"When I was chosen to play, Younus came up to me and said that play your natural game, dont worry about anything, just be yourself and do your best. Shahid Afridi had a one to one chat with me and really gave me a lot of confidence by saying that I was an important member of the team and I could be our matchwinner. For two such senior cricketers to give me such self belief was inspiring", stated Shahzaib.

"It was such an amazing experience for me to be part of a World Cup winning squad and its something that I will never forget. I was not sure that I would play any matches in the tournament, but when my chance came I wanted to grab it with both hands and do well for my country" stated the attacking right handed opening batsman.

Shahzaib who played in 4 of the Twenty/20 World Cup matches including the final further added "the atmosphere at each match was just electric, in fact the atmosphere was just amazing and as a 19 year old to experience something like that was just special. Playing the final at Lords in front of a packed house is something that will always live with me. The buildup to the match, the match itself and then the post match celebrations, it was just awesome".

"Not many people knew of me before the Twenty/20 World Cup. I was selected after some good scores in a domestic Twenty/20 tournament shortly before the World Cup, but Younus Khan had seen me batting before, especially at Rashid Latif's academy. Rashid Latif has helped me so much with my cricket, I really owe a lot to him for the advice and support he has given me after he spotted me playing tape ball cricket with my friends and asking me to join his academy".

Shahzaib who was dropped after the Twenty/20 World Cup expressed his desire to regain his place in the Pakistan one day and Twenty/20 squads. "I want to definitely make a comeback to the team. I am performing well in the Quaid E Azam Trophy and hope I can maintain my good form and catch the eye of the selectors once again".