I usually find Shadow Ball unnecessary when I'm using a Psychic-type counter or Hidden Power Ice on Alakazam, so my usual Focus Sash Alakazam fares like this: Psychic / Psyshock | Focus Blast | Hidden Power Ice | Thunder Wave.
Thunder Wave is a very annoying an unexpected option coming from Alakazam, and Focus Sash pretty much allows it two free chances to either KO or paralyze something before going down. In dire situations such as when you're looking at a +3-6 Latias and your Jirachi is too severely weakened to paralyze it, or if Volcarona's getting you down, a simple wave of paralysis will do the trick. Try it out.
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