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ISLAMABAD: Ahmed Shahzad’s ouster from the national team left a big question mark on the selection policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the talented opener had performed well recently, both internationally and domestically.
Former Pakistan manager, Intikhab Alam, earlier at a press conference while announcing the central contracts, claimed that contracts were awarded to players based on performance, attitude and disciplinary basis.
Shahzad scored two centuries in the one-day series against New Zealand and in the West Indies and was a regular in the 2011 World Cup, so his exclusion based on his performance is not justified.
Alam claimed that Shahzad was dropped because of disciplinary issues and he had not improved despite being personally advised by the Board chairman, Ijaz Butt, to focus only on cricket.
Meanwhile, Shahzad was quoted as saying by a private news channel that he had learnt a lot from his mistakes. However, he questioned the decisions of the PCB.
“I could not understand the logic behind the Board's decision to drop me from the Zimbabwe-bound squad and omitting me from the central-contract list.
“I don't know the reason behind my ouster despite having scored runs recently. It really hurts when everything is taken from you,” said the young batsman.
He also insisted that he was not responsible for any misunderstanding between former national one-day team captain, Shahid Afridi, and outgoing coach, Waqar Younis, on the last tour to the West Indies.
“I was not responsible for this dispute between the captain and coach in the West Indies. Yes, Afridi is like a mentor to me and I have learnt a lot from him and he has guided me a lot,” said Shahzad.
The sudden omission of Shahzad from the Pakistan team led to many questions which the PCB needs to clear.
