Opening batsman Ahmad Shahzad has decided to step away from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after not being selected in the draft for the upcoming season.
Expressing his disappointment, Shahzad cited being overlooked by PSL franchises as the reason for his departure. He emphasized his commitment to the game, stating that his focus has always been on playing for the love of cricket rather than financial gain.
Despite being offered contracts for various international leagues, he opted to stay devoted to Pakistani cricket, aiming to represent the national team once more.
In a candid statement, Shahzad announced his decision to distance himself from PSL and all its six teams.
He hinted at a collective effort among the franchises to exclude him from the league, expressing gratitude to his fans worldwide for their unwavering support. He pledged to never compromise on principles that could undermine his country’s image.
Shahzad highlighted his consistent performance in domestic cricket, accusing PSL franchises of purposefully sidelining him from the premier T20 event in Pakistan. Despite his efforts and notable displays in tournaments like the National T20 Cup, he lamented that his omission seemed premeditated, regardless of his statistics surpassing those of selected players. He hinted at revealing the reasons behind his exclusion, promising clarity for his fans soon.
Having previously represented Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans in the PSL, Shahzad’s last stint was with Quetta in 2020, where he struggled, accumulating only 61 runs in seven innings. Throughout his PSL career, he amassed 1,077 runs in 43 innings at an average of 26.26 and a strike rate of 120.06.