Ahmad Shahzad Accuses PCB of Using His Name for PSL 10 Hype

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of exploiting his name to generate pre-tournament hype for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, set to begin in April.

In a video statement posted on his YouTube channel on Sunday, Shahzad expressed frustration over the recent attention surrounding his potential participation in the PSL. “PSL 10 is going to happen, and the interesting thing is that I’m supposedly playing. For the past few days, it feels like I’m part of PSL again. Are you happy now with the hype?” Shahzad said. He further questioned why the PCB wasn’t focusing on the players who had been prioritized in recent years.

Shahzad, who was notably absent from the 2023 PSL player draft after failing to secure a spot in any of the six franchises, has long voiced dissatisfaction with his exclusion from the league. He had previously accused the PCB of deliberately keeping him out despite his strong performances in domestic cricket, labeling the decision as part of a “deliberate effort.”

In his recent comments, Shahzad hinted that his name was being used for promotional purposes ahead of PSL 10, calling it a calculated move by the board. “Why not focus on the players you’ve prioritized over the last four to five years?” Shahzad questioned.

The 33-year-old batsman also reiterated his decision to step away from the league, citing concerns over the merit-based selection process in Pakistan cricket. He claimed that the PSL, which was originally conceived as a platform to showcase top talent, had failed to meet its original goals. “The league is not where it was intended to be, as many players join the PSL only near the end of their careers,” he said.

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Shahzad also criticized the management of the league, accusing the PCB of handing control to “incompetent” individuals. “Now only retired players come to play for you,” he remarked, adding that these players are then paid large sums of money. He also claimed that the league was in the hands of “inexperienced” and “naïve” people, further stating that no significant infrastructure, such as new stadiums, had been built for players in his native province.

While Shahzad did not point to specific examples, he alluded to the lack of representation from the Quetta franchise, where he once played, and expressed discontent with how the league was being managed.

Shahzad’s comments add to the ongoing debate over the direction and management of the PSL, which has become a focal point in Pakistan’s cricketing landscape.