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Out-of-favour Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has expressed strong disapproval of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), citing a lack of respect and fairness towards domestic players. As a result, he has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Domestic Cricket Champions Cup.
Ahmad Shahzad criticises PCB and withdraws from Champions Cup
The PCB established the Domestic Cricket Champions Cup with the aim of bridging the gap between international and domestic cricketers. The tournament is designed to provide opportunities for talented players from all regions of Pakistan. To support and mentor these players, the PCB appointed renowned former cricketers Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed on a three-year contract worth $5 million.
Shehzad launched a scathing attack on the PCB, criticising its meritless system and announcing his withdrawal from the Domestic Cricket Champions Cup. Shahzad accused the PCB of making empty promises and favoring certain players, a practice he deemed unacceptable to domestic cricketers. He also criticized the board for spending money on mentors and underperforming international players while Pakistan grapples with extreme poverty and inflation. Furthermore, Shahzad took issue with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi's comments regarding a lack of players eligible for surgery. He considered this a direct insult to domestic players who have consistently proven their worth.
Ahmad Shahzad concluded his statement by expressing his inability to support a flawed system that lacks merit. As a Pakistani cricketer, he believes it is essential to hold the PCB accountable for its failures. The recent defeat to Bangladesh in the first Rawalpindi Test by a margin of 10 wickets serves as a stark reminder of the decline in Pakistani cricket. Ahmad Shahzad's accusations further highlight the serious concerns surrounding the newly appointed PCB leadership's competence.
PCB is wasting 5 million on mentors for doing nothing: Ahmed Shehzad
"With a heavy heart, I've decided not to play in the Domestic Cricket Champions Cup. The PCB's favoritism, false promises, and injustice towards domestic players are unacceptable," Shehzad wrote on X.
"In a time when Pakistan is struggling with inflation, poverty, and massive electricity bills, the PCB is wasting 5 million Rs on mentors for doing nothing and rewarding failed players in the current team who brought Pakistan cricket to an All-time Low. It's even more disrespectful that the PCB claims they don't have 'instruments for surgery' which is a huge disrespect for domestic players. As a Pakistani and true cricket lover, I cannot support a system that has no value for merit. I refuse to be a part of this failed setup," his post further read.
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