Following the announcement of Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the first Test against England, former international cricketer Ahmed Shahzad criticized the selectors for their choices. He expressed disappointment over the omission of certain players, arguing that their exclusion was unjustified. Shahzad believes that some of these players deserve a spot in the squad based on their recent performances and contributions. His remarks reflect a broader concern regarding the selection process and its implications for the team’s competitiveness against England.
Ahmed Shahzad Critiques Pakistan Selectors Over Test Squad:
In a short video posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Ahmed Shahzad expressed his dissatisfaction with the selections for Pakistan’s Test squad. He specifically criticized the board for excluding two players: Kamran Ghulam, a top-order batsman, and Mohammed Ali, a right-arm fast bowler. Shahzad’s remarks highlight his concern over the squad composition and the potential impact on the team’s performance. Here is the video:
He said, “ Kamran Ghulam has once again been ignored. What I don’t understand is that Khurram Shahzad is injured, and Aamer Jamal is also not fully fit. Shaheen Shah Afridi is also not fully fit. Even then you have not put in Mohammed Ali. I am not able to understand what their options are in this.”
Shahzad expressed his confusion over the omission of Ghulam and another player from the squad, especially considering Pakistan’s struggles to find consistent batting solutions against stronger opponents. He raised concerns about whether their non-selection was due to their roles as top-order batsmen, similar to that of the white-ball captain, Babar Azam, suggesting a potential bias in the selection process.
He added, “ Secondly, I would like to know whose neck Kamran Ghulam and Sahibzada Farhan held firmly. How will you justify not adding their names? Is it that they play at the same number as Babar Azam, since Babar has not played for the last 18 innings, it would add pressure on him.”
Ahmed Shahzad criticized Mohammad Yousuf:
In the concluding part of the video, Shahzad criticized Mohammad Yousuf, a former Pakistan international and current selector for the Pakistan Cricket Board, referring to him as a “dummy” within the national cricket setup. This remark underscored his frustration with the selection process and implied a lack of competence among those responsible for team choices.
He concluded, “ Yousuf when he was a coach as well had left it in the hands of the same 2-3 players. Just like that, he is like a dummy as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s selector.”
Pakistan cricket is facing significant challenges, highlighted by the unprecedented whitewash defeat to Bangladesh on home soil. The national team’s struggles continued with lackluster performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies, marking a troubling period for the once-dominant cricketing nation.
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