Srinagar: Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has once again dropped a bombshell saying that teams in Pakistan Super League (PSL) were forced to not pick the batsman.
Shehzad who has been out of flavour with the Pakistan selectors has recently been in news for his comments regarding PCB and its Chairmain Ramiz Raja. Shehzad last played for Pakistan in 2019 in a T20I.
On Tuesday, Shehzad made an appearance on Pakistan’s television channel Samaa TV, where former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was also a part of the expert panel.
In the show Afridi blamed himself for the ouster of Shehzad from Pakistan team.
“Ahmed was targeted because of me because I supported him a lot. I gave him a lot of chances, which turned out to be a negative thing for him when I left captaincy. I think people thought he was my favourite,” Afridi said.
“I supported him a lot because I wasn’t finding an opener of his ability in Pakistan. He was performing as well. Obviously, he couldn’t perform in all games but he was targeted because of me as well.”
Shehzad, however, was surprised at Afridi’s comment. “Shahid bhai, listen. I don’t know why you said that. You’ve been a elder brother to me, you can say anything to me. Sometimes, it does hurt me, but you have always been a elder brother to me,” said the Pakistan player.
Afridi, then, interrupted him by saying he wants Shehzad to score runs, to which the Pakistan batter said that he should at least be given opportunities to play.
“I want you to score runs, enjoy your life with your wife and kids. Allah has made life beautiful for you,” Afridi said, and Shehzad replied, “I keep saying that. I want to score runs, but at least don’t deny me the platforms where I can score. I will ask you, when sides in PSL want to pick me, who comes in and says no? You tell me, where do I score runs? At my home?”