Picture Credit: Twitter
Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has opened up about being dropped from the national team. Shehzad talked about how Pakistan cricket lacks support from senior players, unlike India. He pointed out how Indian batter Virat Kohli was supported by India’s former captain MS Dhoni.
He said, “I have said this before, and I will say it again, Kohli’s career picked off amazingly because he found MS Dhoni but unfortunately, here in Pakistan, your people cannot stand your success. Our senior players and ex-cricketers cannot digest seeing someone succeed in the cricketing world, which is unfortunate for Pakistan cricket.”
Their words hurt my career: Shehzad
Shehzad hasn’t been a regular part of the Pakistan team since 2016 because their coach Waqar Younis had presented a report to the PCB talking about how the right-band batter along with Umran Malik was required to play domestic cricket and work on their game to play for Pakistan.
Addressing the report, Shehzad said, “I have not seen the report myself, but a PCB official told me that these remarks have been said regarding me. But I believe that these things should be discussed face-to-face, and I am ready to take on that challenge. Then we will see who is right and who is wrong.”
The top-order right-handed attacking batter revealed how these words have deeply affected his career and he was "not allowed" to present his side of the story. “Their words hurt my career, especially since I was not allowed to present my case. This was a pre-planned approach, and they wanted to kill two birds with one stone,” he said.
Why not give a chance to someone who is in good nick?: Haroon Rasheed
Pakistan’s selectors in 2016 had talked about the reason behind axing Shezad from the team. Chief selector Haroon Rasheed said, "While picking the squad, the team management and skipper were consulted by the selectors, and all concerned gave their consent in this regard.”
"The T20 team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in domestic and A team tours. The team is a fine blend of experience and youth and the selectors believe that team will do well in both tournaments," Rasheed continued.
"We gave Shehzad consistent chances. His confidence level is down after a run of poor form, which happens to players, so why not give a chance to someone else who is in good nick?" he added.