Speaking to PakPassion.net, Shehzad refuted the bad boy image that some have tried to portray of him and spoke of his hopes that he will now be able to wipe the slate clean with a new hierarchy in place at the helm of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

By Saj Sadiq (October 25, 2011)

Ahmed Shehzad’s short international career can best be described as a roller coaster ride. A batsman of undoubted ability, immense talent and self confidence, he currently finds himself out of favour for Pakistan in all formats.

A Twenty20 World Cup winner in 2009, Shehzad has already made 2 one day international centuries, despite only being a few weeks short of his 20th birthday. His highest score in international cricket of 115 against New Zealand in Hamilton was an innings of high class and pedigree and many thought that it would be the launch pad for a long and successful career for the hard hitting opening batsman.

However such is the way in the unpredictable world of Pakistani cricket, Shehzad was dropped by the selectors after the World Cup amidst stories of dressing room unrest during the tournament eventually won by India and he now finds himself trying to re launch his international career by firstly impressing in the ongoing Quaid E Azam Trophy for Habib Bank.

Speaking to PakPassion.net, Shehzad refuted the bad boy image that some have tried to portray of him and spoke of his hopes that he will now be able to wipe the slate clean with a new hierarchy in place at the helm of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“I’m really pleased with the start that Habib Bank and I have made this season in the Quaid E Azam Trophy. We are the defending champions and we are determined to make a very good fist of retaining the trophy. We didn’t start too well, we were a bit rusty and weren’t at our best but the last couple of matches we have found our form and done very well as a team. We have a great bunch of guys at HBL and it is a pleasure playing alongside these boys.”

“I made 161 against Abbottabad earlier this month as we chased down 367 to win in the fourth innings in a tough run chase, so I’m really happy with my form. I feel that I have always performed when given the opportunity.”

Shehzad last played for Pakistan on 5th May earlier this year in the Caribbean where he scored 9 from 33 deliveries as Pakistan were trounced by 10 wickets in a one day international. However Shahzad who hails from Lahore is of the opinion that he wasn’t dropped from the Pakistan side due to performance, rather it was non cricketing reasons that meant he was ousted from the team.

“Performance was never the issue. I feel the issue for my dropping from the team was something else and even I don’t know exactly what this issue was. Now there have been changes at the Pakistan Cricket Board and we have a new Chairman in place, everything should be different and I am determined to go and meet the new Chairman and discuss my situation with him soon.”

“I feel my omission was unfair and was based on non cricketing reasons and I definitely want to go and speak with the new Chairman with a view to clearing up any issues. I want to make a fresh start from now onwards. I made two international centuries at such a young age within the space of a couple of months and then came back to the Twenty20 side where I did well. I have a lot of faith in my ability.”

Responding to a question about the negative image of him portrayed by some, Shehzad strongly refuted the allegations levelled at him and stated “I don’t agree with the image that some are attempting to portray of me. A lot of people have supported me through these difficult times and I’m very grateful to them. In life you have good and bad times and in my opinion it’s all about learning from the bad times for the future. I’m still young, I’m learning and I’ve taken on board the criticism and I’m in good form on the field which is the most important thing and God Willing I will make it back into the Pakistan side. At the moment I just want to concentrate on my cricket and perform well on the field, play good cricket and not worry about the non cricket related things.

Shehzad has not only found himself out of favour for the senior Pakistan side, but has also been ignored for the Hong Kong Sixes, as well as the Under 25 team that will be featuring in the upcoming SAARC Tournament to be held in the Maldives.