Ahmad Shahzad accuses PCB of using his name for pre-PSL 10 hype

Former cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of exploiting his name to generate "pre-hype" for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), set to commence in April.

“PSL 10 is on the horizon, and intriguingly, I am supposedly part of it. Recently, it has felt as though I am involved in PSL once more. Are you now pleased with the generated hype? Why not concentrate on the players you have favored over the past four to five years?” he stated in a video released on his YouTube channel on Sunday.

In 2023, Shahzad ended his association with the T20 cricket league after failing to be selected by any of the six franchises during the player draft.

He alleged that there was a “deliberate effort” to exclude him from the league, despite his consistent performance in the domestic circuit over the past few years.

The right-handed batsman expressed his discontent, accusing the PCB of utilizing his name for promotional gains. He characterized the board's actions as a strategic maneuver to generate excitement ahead of the tournament.

“PSL 10 is nearing, and it appears that I am supposedly playing. For the last few days, it has felt like I am part of PSL again. Are you satisfied with the hype now? Why not focus on the players you have prioritized over the last four to five years?” Shahzad questioned.

The 33-year-old reaffirmed his decision to withdraw from the league, highlighting the necessity of meritocracy in Pakistan cricket.

He asserted that the league has not met its intended goals, as its founders envisioned it becoming one of the premier leagues where cricketers join the PSL not merely after retirement or towards the twilight of their careers.