Don’t compare me with Umar Akmal: Shehzad

Top-order batsman Ahmed Shehzad has requested the media and the fans to avoid comparing him with his Central Punjab teammate and hard-hitting batsman Umar Akmal.

While talking in a press conference in Lahore ahead of the seventh round fixtures of the Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy, Shehzad said that he should be judged solely on his performance.

“I request that we should not be compared and judged together as a duo. We are two different individuals,” said Shehzad. “I should be judged on what I do and he on his own conduct. It would also be unfair on him if I were to make a mistake but the blame was to fall on him.”

Shehzad and Akmal were dropped from the Men in Green’s Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the Australia tour, after the duo failed to perform in their comeback series against Sri Lanka last month.

Shehzad scored a total of 17 runs in the two T20Is, while Akmal failed to open his account on both occasions.

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The 27-year-old opener was disappointed with his performance against the Islanders and vowed to return as an improved batsman.

“I believe that the amount of hard work I put in in the last two years, I had never done it in my entire life. It was unfortunate. I tried but it did not happen,” he said. “Maybe God wants some more hard work from me.”

“I cannot give excuses. I cannot say that I only got two matches and someone else got five of 10. I will try to do more next time whenever I get the chance,” he added.

Shehzad also opened up about the lack of support he has received from the Pakistan fans over the years.

“Sometimes people get really harsh in their criticism. It feels like I am not from this country. I have no idea why people are so annoyed with me. I have always tried to improve myself," he said.