Ahmed Shehzad, a seasoned batter, really went after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about Shadab Khan being picked for the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. This came after Pakistan got crushed in the first game in Christchurch. Shadab only bowled a couple of overs, gave up 18 runs, and didn’t get any wickets. New Zealand chased down 92 in just over 10 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Shehzad doesn’t get why Shadab was picked, given his recent form.
Tell me, what has Shadab done lately? Who put him on the team? Let’s see how the series goes. But, the PCB probably has other plans for him; maybe he was picked for a different reason, Shehzad said in an interview with Cricket Pakistan.
Shehzad also ripped into the whole team since Pakistan’s loss was their worst ever, with 59 balls to spare.
We got knocked out, but how many wickets did we take? Our experienced bowlers, what did they do? They didn’t seem dangerous at all, whether they’re righties or lefties, he added.
He also blasted the PCB about the current state of the National Cricket Academy, saying it hasn’t been producing good players lately.
Back when we played, the NCA had big camps, and that’s where players improved. It’s supposed to be a place for growing talent, not just a place to put your buddies and give them salaries. It was made to create players. So, where are they? How many have come out?
We all came from the NCA—me, Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Umar Amin, Shan Masood. We were all in development camps there, learning from coaches like Mudassar Nazar. So, what’s happened to the NCA in the last four years? Who’s running it? Where’s the player development that used to happen for young talent? he asked.
Shehzad also went after the current NCA chief, Nadeem Khan, questioning what he’s done to develop players.
Is anyone responsible or held accountable? They’re supposed to be making players for Pakistan. You can’t just blame the players. What has Nadeem Khan done at the NCA? Why isn’t anyone asking him questions? The NCA is a big deal, but what players have they developed? Why was he put in charge? What made him qualified for the job? he finished.