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Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin spoke about the miserable run of results for the neighbouring country in international cricket. After Ashwin remarked on his YouTube channel that Pakistan cricket team were tough to beat a decade ago, Shahzad responded to his comments in a sarcastic manner, stating that he shouldn’t be “surprised” at the current state of cricket in Pakistan.
Notably, in their recently concluded two-match Test series against Bangladesh, the Pakistan cricket team were whitewashed 0-2, losing both the matches at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on the final day. Apart from the defeat, some of the fans and experts were literally shocked at how some of the Pakistan cricketers carried themselves in the Test series, performing way below par than their standards.
It was very tough to beat Pakistan 10 years ago in Tests: Ravichandran Ashwin
With that, in the recent video on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin, spoke about the poor performances of Pakistan cricket team. He was quoted as saying, as per Times of India, “Pakistan cricket, to see where it is right now, it wasn't possible 10 years ago with Misbah, Younis Khan, even when they used to play in UAE. Back then, it was very tough to beat Pakistan, right?”
After learning about the comments of Ravichandran Ashwin on Pakistan cricket, Ahmad Shahzad, who has been a severe critic of the PCB in recent times, took a sarcastic dig at them. He said, “Why are you surprised, Ashwin? Don't worry, everything is fine here. Can't you see that stadiums are being built over here? Continuous digging is being done. Don't be surprised at all.”
Why are you surprised, Ravi?: Shahzad to Ashwin on current state of Pakistan cricket
Shahzad, who pulled out of the Champions One-Day Cup, slated to start on September 12, was quite critical of the tournament itself, and said, “Are you not seeing that Pakistan is organizing a cup? Just wait and watch the number of players who come out of this tournament. How we get a battery of fast bowlers and produce players. Are you not seeing this? Why are you surprised, Ravi?”
He also went after the Pakistan cricket team for the supposed “groupism” in the changing rooms, linking it with the recent disappointments on the field, and said, “So what if we couldn't qualify for the Super 8 round of the 2024 T20 World Cup? So what if there is groupism in our team? So what if the current players in the team are not performing? It's not a big issue, Ravi, so please don't worry.”
