After not being selected by any of the six teams in the most recent player drafting, Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shahzad stated on Friday that he is leaving the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Moreover, he said this was a “deliberate effort” to keep him out of the T20 league.
Earlier this week, the player draft for the PSL 2024 took place in Lahore.
However, numerous players chosen from six categories by the six franchises.
The franchises are Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators, Lahore Qalandars, and Islamabad United.
These categories were: “Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging, and Supplementary.”
Ahmed Shahzad Took Permanent Retirement From PSL
Nevertheless, none of them chose Ahmed Shahzad. It is noteworthy that he participated in a recent National T20 Cup with the Lahore Region Whites team.
Ahmed Shahzad voiced his dissatisfaction on X (previously Twitter), saying that he felt disappointed that none of the organizations selected him.
He said, “Another PSL draft goes by and same old story — didn’t get picked. God knows why!”
A heartfelt goodbye! pic.twitter.com/7NdjpCXjeR
— Ahmad Shahzad ???????? (@iamAhmadshahzad) December 15, 2023
He said he had tried “really hard by giving it all in domestic circuit consistently” in last few years, adding that is performance in the National T20 Cup was also “reasonably well”.
He Knows The Reason
“There seems a deliberate effort to keep me out, even when franchises have opted for other performers with inferior numbers than me,” he lamented.
Moreover, Shahzad said he knows “exactly the reasons why I’m not made part of the PSL — the whole country, and my fans will know it very soon”.
Furthermore, terming his non-inclusion a “pre-planned” move.
He said he decided to part ways and “saying goodbye to Pakistan Super League for my own self respect. I’ve never played for money and will never do it.”
He said he was taking the decision to “keep money out of it.”
Adding that he was “offered several contracts to play leagues yet chose Pakistan”.
His Message
Moreover, he said he was thankful to Allah that “I always stood firm on my moral responsibilities and have never let myself, my family and my country down”.
“If that’s the price I have to pay for my honesty and dedication, it’s really a small price to pay and I will continue doing it,” he added.
Ahmed Shahzad experienced playing in the PSL for the Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators. Year 2020 saw him play in the league with Quetta for the last time.
To read our blog on “HBL PSL season 9 complete squads details of all franchises,” click here.