Ahmed Shehzad has voiced his frustration over the Pakistan National Cricket Team’s dismal performance in the first match of the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand in Christchurch. Shehzad was particularly critical of the team’s bowling, which failed to defend a modest target of 92 runs, allowing the hosts to chase it down in just 11 overs and secure a nine-wicket victory at the Hagley Oval on March 16.
Shehzad questioned the effectiveness of Pakistan’s senior bowlers, emphasizing their inability to take wickets or apply pressure on the New Zealand batters. He highlighted their lack of strategic execution, which ultimately led to the heavy defeat. “We were bowled out, but how many wickets did we take? Our experienced bowling attack—what did they achieve? Where was the threatening bowling, whether from right-handers or left-handers?” Shehzad was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
He also raised concerns about the selection of all-rounder Shadab Khan, suggesting that Shadab was included in the squad for reasons beyond merit. Shehzad speculated that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has internal plans for Shadab, including possibly making him the T20I captain in the future. “You talk about Shadab—what performance has he delivered? Who brought him into the team? Let this series pass first. The PCB has a separate plan for Shadab, and he was included for a different purpose,” he added.
In addition to critiquing the team’s performance, Shehzad expressed his disappointment with the decline of Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy (NCA). He recalled a time when the NCA was instrumental in nurturing talent through rigorous training camps, but now, he believes it has become a place where individuals are appointed for personal gain rather than player development. “The NCA is no longer producing top-quality players. It’s now just a setup to accommodate people and secure salaries,” he said.
Shehzad also criticized NCA Director Nadeem Khan, questioning his credentials and the lack of accountability under his leadership. “Is there any responsibility or accountability? They are supposed to produce players for Pakistan. You can’t blame everything on the players. What has Nadeem Khan achieved at the NCA? Why is no one questioning him? On what basis was he appointed?” he remarked.
Pakistan and New Zealand are set to clash in the second T20I on March 18 at the University Oval in Dunedin, followed by three ODIs after the T20I series.
