Ahmed Shehzad delivered a scathing critique of Pakistan’s cricket selection policies in his latest podcast, praising the red-hot form of Islamabad United’s Sahibzada Farhan.
Speaking in his latest podcast, former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad hailed Sahibzada Farhan as an “unstoppable” force in domestic cricket.
He credited Farhan’s recent run of form—including four centuries in a month and a blistering 50 off 30 balls for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League—as a powerful rebuttal to those who once dismissed him as lacking international calibre.
“Farhan has shut down every critic who ever said he wasn’t a serious product,” Shehzad stated. “It hurts to hear people label a player as unworthy when they’ve never held a bat themselves. Now those same people are praising him.”
Shehzad accused former senior players within the national team of gatekeeping opportunities for younger top-order batters like Farhan, claiming many players were systematically denied chances due to internal alliances and social media influence.
“Farhan isn’t the only one. There were others in the last four or five years who could’ve served Pakistan. But those controlling the narrative didn’t let that happen,” he added.
According to Shehzad, Farhan was given sporadic opportunities—often out of position—and used as a scapegoat in difficult tours like the one to Australia.
Despite setbacks, Farhan stayed silent, kept training, and continued performing in domestic cricket.
Shehzad praised his mental strength and commitment, noting Farhan’s personal fitness efforts and his work mentoring young players through his cricket academy.
He further highlighted Farhan’s performance against New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell, calling a particular inside-out shot over mid-off the “moment of the day” and symbolic of Farhan’s growth and class.
Turning his attention to the wider PSL 2025 context, Shehzad also criticised Islamabad United’s team decisions, particularly regarding the batting order.
He questioned the underuse of Haider Ali and expressed concern about captain Shadab Khan playing a dominant role in all aspects of the game.
“If you’ve picked Haider Ali, play him in the proper slot. He’s being wasted,” said Shehzad.
Shehzad also applauded other openers showing promise, including Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Haris.
He acknowledged their form while calling on Pakistan selectors to ensure consistent opportunities for rising talent, especially given the persistent struggles at the top of the order.
On the other side, Shehzad said Multan Sultans and their captain Mohammad Rizwan are going through “tough times,” following consecutive losses. He hoped they would learn from their setbacks and bounce back.
His final words echoed the theme of opportunity and fairness: “All Farhan ever needed was a chance. He proved the rest on his own.”
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