Ahmed Shehzad questions Shadab Khan’s selection in Pakistan team, says board has ‘different plans’ for him | Cricket News
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been out of the Pakistan side since his poor showings at the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted in the West Indies and the USA. However, after the recent Champions Trophy debacle the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to make wholesale changes yet again and have reverted to Shadab.
In the first T20I against New Zealand Shadab made a comeback into the side on Sunday. However, Pakistan as a unit had a day to forget as they were bundled out for 91 and gave away the runs in 10.1 overs. Shadab on his comeback scored three runs with the bat and bowled two overs giving away 18 runs. “You’re talking about Shadab—tell me, what performance has he delivered? Who brought him into the team? Let this series pass first. The PCB has a different plan with Shadab, and he was included in the team for a different purpose,” Ahmed Shehzad said.
“We were dismissed, but how many wickets did we take? Our senior, experienced bowling attack—what have they done? Where do you see them delivering any kind of threatening bowling, whether they are right-handed or left-handed?” Shehzad added.
“When we used to play, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) held big camps, and players were developed from there. That place is supposed to be a nursery for talent—not just a setup where you adjust your own people and secure salaries. It was established to produce players. So where are those players now? How many have emerged?” Shehzad asked.
“Is there any responsibility or accountability? They are supposed to produce players for Pakistan. You can’t put everything on the players. What has Nadeem Khan produced at the NCA? Why is no one questioning him? The NCA is such a big institution—what players have they developed? On what basis was he appointed there, and who put him in charge? What qualifications or credentials did he have to be given that position?” Shehzad concluded.