Shahbaz Ahmed is a left-handed batting all-rounder who bowls left-arm orthodox spin. Across 74 IPL matches, his career WAR/M of -0.014 tells a blunt story: he has not delivered consistent value at this level. His batting WAR/M sits at -0.016 and his bowling WAR/M at -0.045, meaning neither skill has carried its weight. Our model projects him at -0.107 for IPL 2026, well below replacement level.

All-Round Profile

Shahbaz's batting is the marginally less damaging half of his profile. A left-handed middle-order option who can accelerate through the leg side, he has faced 645 career balls with the bat. His bowling covers 2-4 overs of left-arm spin, with 1158 balls bowled across his career, and a 51% death-overs share that suggests he has been trusted in high-leverage situations. The yearly numbers show a concerning decline: from a promising 0.222 WAR/M in 2021 to -0.083 in his most recent season.

Role at LSG

Lucknow's all-rounder options include Mitchell Marsh (overseas) and Abdul Samad (batting). Shahbaz offers a spin all-rounder alternative — useful on turning pitches where a left-arm spinner adds variety to the attack alongside Wanindu Hasaranga. He slots in at #6-#7 and bowls in the middle overs. His xImpact of 17.9 is the lowest on the LSG roster, though, which tells you where the model ranks his expected contribution.

IPL 2026 Outlook

The projection system is not kind here: -0.107 WAR/M for 2026, with high confidence. His format breakdown is 90.3% IPL and 9.7% SMAT data, so there is no hidden upside from other T20 leagues to lean on. At 31, the aging curve offers no tailwind either. Shahbaz's value is as a versatile squad option rather than a guaranteed starter — the kind of player who fills a gap in specific matchups but cannot anchor a role across a full season.

All numbers from career T20 data and WAR model.