'All Franchises Have Shaken Hands to Keep Me Away': Furious Over Non-selection, Ahmad Shahzad Parts Ways with PSL

Agitated over not getting picked in the forthcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), Ahmad Shahzad has decided not to play the tournament ever again. The veteran batter took to his official social media account to vent out his frustration on being overlooked by the tournament franchises, accusing them of ‘shaking hands’ against him.

Shahzad on Friday posted a long note on microblogging site, formerly Twitter, to express himself and announced parting ways with the league.

“A heartfelt goodbye to Pakistan Super League,” Shahzad wrote.

“I’m writing this note which I thought I wouldn’t be writing this year. Another PSL draft goes by and same old story – didn’t get picked. God knows why! But they plan, and Allah plans. Indeed ALLAH is the best of Planners,” he added.

Shahzad further cited his performance in the recently-concluded National T20 Cup in which he scored up in which he scored 344 runs in 9 games, including 4 half-centuries. He asserted that the PSL management and all six franchises have come together against him.

“I have tried really hard by giving it all in the domestic circuit consistently in the last few years and did reasonably well in the National T20 Cup just before the PSL draft. There seems a deliberate effort to keep me out, even when franchises have opted for other performers with inferior numbers than me. But when everything is pre-planned so it doesn’t really matter. I don’t know whose responsibility it is to get top domestic performers in the PSL then,” he further wrote.

“But I exactly know the reasons why I’m not made part of the PSL – the whole country, and my fans will know it very soon.”

“I’m parting ways and saying goodbye to the Pakistan Super League for my own self-respect. I’ve never played for money and will never do it. While many chose international leagues across the globe, I decided to grind in the domestic circuit to prove my love for the game, and to wear the Green Flag again. I’m taking this decision keeping money out of it (was offered several contracts to play leagues yet chose Pakistan).

“I will not play the PSL again with these 6 teams. It seems like a shared responsibility to keep me away from PSL, and all franchises have shaken hands.”

“Lastly, I’m thankful to all the support I’ve received from my fans across the world. I can only assure one thing and that’s never giving in to unfair demands or accept anything which lets my country down.”

“All I know is in this day and age being patriotic and putting your nation first goes against you. I’m thankful to my 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. Pakistan Zindabad,” Shahzad concluded.