Ahmed Shehzad slams PCB after Ashwin’s comments on Pakistan cricket

Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has sharply criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in response to recent comments by Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. 

Ashwin had expressed surprise at the current struggles of Pakistan cricket, contrasting it with their past dominance under leaders like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan. 

On his YouTube channel, Ashwin remarked on how difficult it used to be to beat Pakistan when they had strong leaders, stating, "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?" 

In reaction, Shehzad sarcastically questioned Ashwin’s surprise, suggesting that the PCB’s infrastructural efforts were not making a significant impact. 

"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," Shehzad remarked.

He further mocked the PCB’s initiatives, such as the Champions One-Day Cup, questioning their effectiveness in improving the team’s performance. 

"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?" he further added.

Shehzad did not hold back in his critique, addressing the team’s recent failures, including their inability to qualify for the Super 8s of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

"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 concluded.