Pakistan Cricketer Ahmed Shehzad Launches Scathing Attack on PCB and PSL
Veteran Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has openly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the national team's recent string of disappointing performances. In a bold move, he also drew a stark comparison between the player quality in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), highlighting what he perceives as fundamental flaws in Pakistan's domestic cricket structure.
Shehzad Questions PSL's Competitiveness Compared to IPL
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shehzad pointed to the IPL's success in fostering competitive talent. "If you look at the IPL, they've got many superstars in their league who make the league competitive. Teams there invest for years, building strength," he stated. In contrast, he criticized the PSL for relying on retired players and commentators, whom he claims have been artificially elevated to superstar status over the past few years.
"On the other hand, PSL has hired retired players and commentators and made them superstars over the last 3–4 years; even retired players become your brand faces. They get money, but what have they actually built? I think this sums up what PSL has become," Shehzad added, questioning the league's long-term impact on player development.
Recent Failures Prompt Harsh Criticism
The cricketer's comments come in the wake of Pakistan's underwhelming performances, including their failure to reach the semifinals in the T20 World Cup and a disappointing ODI series defeat against Bangladesh. Shehzad described the current phase as one of the weakest he has witnessed in Pakistani cricket, placing blame squarely on both the players and the management for the team's decline.
Shehzad Accuses PCB of Favoritism and Poor Investment
Shehzad questioned the quality and impact of the current group of players, particularly those who have received consistent backing from the PCB. "The calibre of your players is not at that level, which was built up as a brand by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 and 7 years ago. These 6-8 boys… they are also the face of the PSL. They are also the face of our Pakistan team. Will they change Pakistan's destiny?" he asked rhetorically.
He further accused the PCB of heavily investing in a small group of players without achieving tangible results. "You provided all the sponsorships to those boys, endorsed them, and invested money in them. You gave them captaincies in the PSL, right? You made them the thumb of the Pakistan team. You handed over the entire Pakistan cricket team to those 6 boys and their agents. And what have they done now? The fire they have lit in the jungle, the fun and parties they have had, the pockets they have filled, the enjoyment they have had… they haven't given Pakistan any wins by doing so," he elaborated, suggesting mismanagement and lack of accountability.
Players and Board Blamed for Lack of Responsibility
Shehzad also slammed the players for failing to take responsibility for their performances, claiming that the board appears powerless in front of them. "Such is the audacity (of the players) that even today, they are not ready to admit that we are responsible. Not a single one of those players. Even today, they play the blame game. Even today, their ego is such that it isn't breaking. So weak is the Pakistan Cricket Board now," he remarked.
He concluded with a harsh assessment of the PCB's functioning, stating, "Whenever you talk about any player, they start spinning stories. I have never seen the Pakistan Cricket Board this weak in my life, as weak as this PCB is. They have power, right? But in their decision-making, they appear to be kneeling before their players. This PCB can't do anything. The work they were supposed to do — bringing in new faces — they didn't. What they do is, after every event, they try to pull a new trick, but the public has now caught their pattern."
Shehzad's outspoken critique highlights growing frustrations within Pakistani cricket circles, as fans and former players alike call for reforms and better management to revive the team's fortunes on the international stage.
