Pakistan cricket team opener batsman Ahmed Shehzad has opened up about his issues with former captain Babar Azam.

 

Shehzad recently appeared on a podcast with Ahmed Ali Butt, where he shared his thoughts about not being part of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and his issues with Babar Azam.

 

"Babar Azam is my junior, and I have no personal issue with him. However, I think making him captain was the wrong decision. In Pakistan, decisions are made based on performance, but no one checks if the person has leadership qualities. PCB selectors often hide behind one player," he said. 

 

He claimed Babar mostly performed against weaker teams. "When the pressure increased, big teams started visiting Pakistan, but their main players didn't come."

 

Ahmed criticized Babar's captaincy, saying, "Babar has played four ICC events, but no one talks about his performance in those tournaments. My criticism is based on numbers, not personal grudges."

 

He also accused Babar of keeping his friends in the team despite poor performances, saying, "For example, Abrar Ahmed was performing well now, but earlier, Shadab Khan was being kept in the team despite underperforming."

 

Ahmed further said, "In ICC events, eight players dominate the team, which led to Pakistan losing matches. They silence criticism by dropping players temporarily and then bringing them back in the next series."

 

He concluded by saying his main issue with Babar Azam and PCB is unfair decisions.

 

Babar Azam has been under criticism since the ODI World Cup 2023 after a spare of poor performances. Shehzad had spoken against Babar during that time on his YouTube channel and national television.