Ahmed Shehzad needs to respect the game: Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja believes that Quetta Gladiators needs to drop Ahmed Shehzad from their playing XI, after the top-order batsman again failed to impress against Islamabad United at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Quetta has so far shown faith in Shehzad’s abilities, but the right-hand batsman has only accumulated 42 runs in his four outings this season.

While speaking in a Youtube video, the famous commentator said that 28-year-old needs to spend some time on the bench to analyse his mistakes.

‘‘Ahmed Shehzad has had four unnecessary failures till now. There was no need to go for a big shot after he had already hit two sixes in the same over,’’ Raja said. ‘‘Ahmed Shehzad needs to respect the game because if doesn’t respect the game, then the game will not respect him. Shehzad needs to spend some time on the bench so he can contemplate and understand his mistakes.’’

‘‘Shehzad’s failures have come on good pitches, so it would be justified to give him some time out, which might help him in making a better comeback,’’ he added.

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Earlier this week, former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed had also expressed his disappointment while speaking on Shehzad’s performance so far. 

“Seeing the shot he played, which led to his dismissal in Quetta’s last match against Karachi Kings, I can’t understand what sort of cricket he is trying to play,” said Tanvir. “He is unable to produce the goods in batting but while fielding he is advising the bowlers to bowl within the stumps if they get hit for a boundary. He needs to concentrate on his own department and mind his own business rather than becoming a professor.”

Quetta’s next match in HBL PSL is against Multan Sultans in Multan on Saturday, February 29.