Targeting Pakistan team comeback, Ahmed Shehzad refuses T10 league contract

Out-of-favour batter Ahmed Shehzad has opted to play domestic tournament in Pakistan and refused a contract from the Abu Dhabi T10 league, saying he is determined to make a return to the senior national team. Ahmed Shehzad took to social media to confirm he politely refused a deal from Bangla Tigers despite getting a No-Objection Certificate from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Ahmed Shehzad, who last played for Pakistan in a T20I in 2019, has been in fine form in the National T20 Cup domestic tournament in Karachi. He began his campaign in the tournament with a 52-ball 60 against Larkana, a 44-ball 81 against Qeutta, and an unbeaten 52-ball 72 not out against KR Blues as recently as November 28.

“I have respectfully refused a contract to play in the ongoing season of Abu Dhabi T10 League as I believe I have some unfinished business with my team Lahore Whites in the National T20 Cup, and I want to carry on playing domestic cricket in Pakistan. I have always believed in putting Pakistan first, and I will continue to strive towards earning a place in the national team once again,” Ahmed Shehzad said in a social media post on Thursday.

“Really appreciate @TheRealPCB for granting me NOC for @T10League, but I want to continue respecting our domestic cricket and set an example for youngsters watching me and others play in this tournament.

“I would also like to thank @BanglaTigers_ae for the generous offer and I feel honoured to have them acknowledging my domestic performances in #NationalT20. Thank you and best wishes for the tournament,” he added.

Shehzad’s last appearance for Pakistan in international cricket was on October 7, 2019, in a T20I match against Sri Lanka. Since then, he has been absent from the international scene.

In Test cricket, he has played 13 matches, scoring 982 runs with an average of 40.91, including three centuries and four half-centuries. His ODI record includes 81 matches with 2,605 runs at an average of 32.56, boasting six centuries and fourteen half-centuries. In the T20I format, he has appeared in 59 matches, amassing 1,471 runs with an average of 25.80, including one century and seven fifties.

Shehzad faced off-field issues as he was banned for 4 months for a doping violation in 2018. With the T20 World Cup approaching in 6 month’s times, Shehzad will be looking to grab the attention of the selectors.