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'Why Are You Surprised?' - Ahmed Shehzad Attacks PCB After Ashwin's Honest Remark On Pakistan

Ahmed Shehzad (L) and R. Ashwin (R) (X.com)Ahmed Shehzad (L) and R. Ashwin (R) (X.com)

Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board in reaction to Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's comments on the state of Pakistan cricket. Shehzad, who made his debut for Pakistan in April 2009, did not mince his words while criticizing the PCB.

Ashwin surprised by how Pakistan have struggled of late after their 0-2 Test series loss to Bangladesh, mentioned on his YouTube channel how tough it was to beat Pakistan whenever players like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan were leading from the front. He said:

"Keeping all this aside, Pakistan cricket, to see where it is right now, it wasn't possible 10 years ago with Misbah, Younis Khan, even when they used to play in UAE. Back then, it was very tough to beat Pakistan, right?" 

Shehzad Sarcastically Questions Ashwin

Shehzad sarcastically asked Ashwin whether he was even more surprised as to why the infrastructural projects of the PCB had not been coming through and said: 

"Why are you surprised, Ashwin? Don't worry, everything is fine here. Can't you see that stadiums are being built over here? Continuous digging is being done. Don't be surprised at all."

He continued, further ridiculing the efforts of the PCB at improving team performance, such as the Champions One-Day Cup, implying these would not resolve the issues.

"Are you not seeing that Pakistan is organizing a cup? Just wait and watch the number of players who come out of this tournament. How we get a battery of fast bowlers and produce players. Are you not seeing this? Why are you surprised, Ravi?"

Shehzad did not hold back in his critique, even downplaying the team’s failure to qualify for the Super 8 round of the 2024 T20 World Cup and acknowledging issues within the squad. 

"So what if we couldn't qualify for the Super 8 round of the 2024 T20 World Cup? So what if there is groupism in our team? So what if the current players in the team are not performing? It's not a big issue, Ravi, so please don't worry," he said.

He also played down the failure of the team to reach at least the 'Super Four' rounds of the 2024 T20 World Cup and blasted internal groupism and dismal performance. Shehzad, who had blasted the PCB for showing discrimination and reneging on all promises, maintained he was never satisfied with the board's handling of domestic cricket.