Shehzad lashes out at PCB after Australia ODIs snub

Opener Ahmed Shehzad has lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Selection Committee and Head Coach Mickey Arthur for finalising squad for Australia ODIs, before the conclusion of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The 27-year-old has, currently, scored 252 runs at an average of 50.40 and strike rate of 132.63, during the ongoing fourth edition of HBL PSL. He has three scores in excess of fifty with 99-run knock — against Karachi Kings — being his highest score.  

 While speaking to reporters at the National Stadium in Karachi, Shehzad was disappointed with the selection committee led by Inzamamul Haq.

“The selection committee should have waited for the conclusion of HBL PSL before naming squad for Australia ODIs,” said Shehzad. “It is unfair to select squad before the important matches of PSL4.”

Shehzad also criticised Arthur for not taking domestic performances into account.

“Arthur should know that PSL tends to produce good bowlers but not enough qualiy batsmen,” he said. “Good batting talent comes through four-day domestic cricket and it is wrong to not take performances of cricketers doing well there into account.”

 The right-handed batsman also expressed his desire to represent Pakistan at the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.

“I want to play the 2019 World Cup and perform to the best of my ability during the mega event,” he concluded.

The five-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will kick start with the series opener in Sharjah on March 22 and the last match in Dubai on March 31.

The series is part of both sides’ ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 preparations, where Australia will defend its title.