Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has strongly criticised the exclusion of Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), stating that both players deserve opportunities in franchise cricket.

 

Speaking on a television show, Afridi expressed disappointment over how domestic cricketers with proven track records continue to face neglect despite their continued involvement in the game.

 

"I think and I believe that when we completely ignore certain players, it becomes an issue. I was hoping that after two new teams came in, some of our domestic cricketers would get a chance. I think it's important to mention this here. I've said it before and I'm saying it again, whether it's Umar Akmal or Ahmed Shehzad," Afridi said.

 

He emphasised that both cricketers remain active in training and practice sessions, maintaining their fitness and skills.

 

"They are still playing continuously. They are visible in practice sessions. They are seen in training. These boys deserve respect. Both of them have delivered outstanding performances in the past. They are quality players, quality cricketers. I don't think they should be ignored this much. They should have been given a chance," the former all-rounder stated, adding that the two must, however, play domestic cricket first.

 

Afridi went further, declaring that he would personally pick both players if he led a team. 

 

"If I were leading a team, I would definitely take these two players with me. The thing is, senior players sometimes need to be handled differently. If there are attitude issues, you have to understand that not every child in a household is the same. You deal with everyone differently. In my opinion, it's about knowing how to manage them," he explained.

 

The 44-year-old drew from his own experience as captain, highlighting the importance of man-management in dealing with talented but temperamental players. "When I was captain and handling players like this, I knew exactly how to manage them and how to deal with others. This is what man-management is at this level. When people talk about coaching, this is real coaching. Knowing a player's strengths, knowing his weaknesses, and then coordinating with him accordingly. You manage him and bring the best performance out of him," Afridi said.

 

He reinforced his belief in tailored management approaches for different personalities. "That is the core of it, how to get performances from such players. I have always strongly believed in player-management. Everyone has a different method, but you must know how to get work done from which player and in what way. That's why I believe Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad should have been part of at least one franchise team," he concluded.

 

The comments come amid vocal frustration from the supporters of both players. Kamran Akmal recently voiced his anger after his brother Umar's name did not appear in the PSL player auction despite registering for the event.

 

The situation took an emotional turn when Ahmed Shehzad broke down in tears during a live television show while discussing his PSL snub. Speaking on a private channel, Shehzad admitted that watching his former teammates take the field while he remained unpicked left him deeply hurt.

 

PSL 11 will feature eight teams for the first time, with new franchises Hyderabad Houston Kingsman and Sialkot Stallionz joining the competition. Multan Sultans, sold for Rs 2.45 billion after previous owner Ali Tareen left the team, have been renamed Rawalpindi.

 

The tournament will run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.