‘Lala group’: Ahmed Shehzad opens up about ‘politics, grouping’ in national team

Former Pakistan cricket team opener Ahmed Shehzad has opened up about alleged politics and grouping that he says marred the workings of the national side during his active career.

Appearing on a podcast with Ahmed Ali Butt, Shehzad was asked if he and his teammates faced allegations of grouping much like those facing the current squad. “Did standing against Lala’s [Shahid Afridi] group mean you could not survive?” Butt asked.

“Look, I don't want to swear on anything... I don’t believe in such things. But if there’s one thing that stands out in my life, something that I take pride in... I don't lie. Shahid Bhai was always like an elder brother and a superstar to me,” Shehzad said.

“If you were in my place… imagine being a 17-year-old in the team and idolising Shahid Afridi. Shahid Afridi himself invites you over for dinner or lunch. What would you say? ‘No, I won't go because it will be considered a group?’. I don't recall Shahid Bhai ever saying anything negative about anyone or influencing me in any way regarding grouping,” he added.

He went on to say their conversations were mostly about cricket and how they could improve their game. “It was mostly just Shahid Bhai and me who used to go out together. Now, can two people really form a group? That's not how it works. Groups are usually made up of six to eight people.”

When asked who was against him at the time, the former opener said that six or seven players from Punjab were good friends of his. “But when I joined the team, I had no idea about groups at all. When I was dropped, that’s when I started noticing things. I used to look at the walls wondering what was happening… why it was happening, and who was behind it. I had no answers,” Shehzad said.

“When you go through tough times, you start analysing things. I kept working hard and tried to understand what was happening. Eventually, I found all the answers myself — not because someone told me, but because I observed and learned from my own experiences.”

“There was a time when a cricketer's career used to last 10 to 15 years. The first five years were for grooming… and then players had careers spanning 15 to 20 years. Now, we are living in a time where careers last just one or two years. PSL has given us a lot of entertainment, but I feel it has also damaged our cricket,” Shehzad said.

Separately, the former star cricketer, in a social media post, slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee over the squad announced for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

“Fakhar's return is happening, but we still don't know who will open with him,” he said and questioned where would Saud Shakeel fit into the playing XI.

“The team selection shows how unprofessional the system has become,” Shehzad said and went on to criticise the inclusion of Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf. “Their selection was based on their performances in the recent T20 tournament in Bangladesh rather than their ODI form. This was Pakistan's preparation for a major ICC tournament that they are hosting.”

PCB announced the squad for the upcoming mega tournament on Friday. It includes Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir,  Faheem Asharf, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Rizwan, Usman Khan,  Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Sheheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Hasnain.

While the selection of a number of players has not sit well with netizens and former cricketers alike, the PCB has until February 11 to make changes to the squad.

After that, changes will only be allowed on medical grounds, with the approval of the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.