Out of favor Pakistan batter, Ahmed Shehzad, has ignited a debate by openly criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its financial decisions regarding the newly established domestic tournament, the Champions Cup. Shehzad has accused the PCB of overspending on the tournament’s mentors and has firmly stated that he will not be participating in the event.
The PCB, in a bid to elevate the standard of domestic cricket, has roped in five notable mentors: Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. These former cricketers have been assigned the task of grooming and mentoring the players participating in the Champions Cup. Reports suggest that the PCB has offered each mentor a lucrative three-year contract, remunerating them with approximately PKR 5 million (around USD 18,000) per month.
This significant expenditure has raised eyebrows and sparked widespread scrutiny. Notably, the monthly remuneration of these mentors is considerably higher than the salaries provided to the PCB’s centrally contracted Grade A players, which includes star performers like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Ahmed Shehzad voiced his discontent through a post on ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), where he did not hold back his criticism of the PCB’s financial choices. In his post, Shehzad declared, “With a heavy heart, I’ve decided not to play in the Domestic Cricket Champions Cup. The PCB’s favoritism, false promises, and injustice towards domestic players are unacceptable. In a time when Pakistan is struggling with inflation, poverty, and massive electricity bills, the PCB is wasting 5 million Rs on mentors for doing nothing and rewarding failed players in the current team who brought Pakistan cricket to an all-time low.”
Shehzad’s remarks underscore his belief that the PCB’s actions are out of touch with the country’s broader socio-economic challenges. He also highlighted a perceived lack of respect towards domestic players, pointing to the PCB’s claim that they don’t have the “instruments for surgery” — an expression Shehzad interpreted as a slight to domestic cricketers. He further elaborated, “It’s even more disrespectful that the PCB claims they don’t have ‘instruments for surgery’ which is a huge disrespect for domestic players. As a Pakistani and true cricket lover, I cannot support a system that has no value for merit. I refuse to be a part of this failed setup.
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Ahmed Shehzad’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing critique of the PCB’s management and spending. His direct approach in calling out the board reflects a broader frustration that may be felt by other fringe or domestic cricketers who feel overlooked and undervalued compared to their international counterparts.
Besides financial grievances, Shehzad also brought attention to the performance issues within the national team. He suggested that the management and the board have unfairly made fast bowler Shaheen Afridi the scapegoat for Pakistan’s humiliating 10-wicket defeat against Bangladesh. Shehzad emphasized that other players, namely Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, and even captain Babar Azam, should also face scrutiny for their performances. According to Shehzad, these players require introspection and accountability, rather than focusing criticism predominantly on Afridi.
This narrative of favoritism and selective accountability is not novel in Pakistan cricket but has been exacerbated by recent events and decisions. With Shehzad’s public declaration and refusal to partake in the Champions Cup, this controversy gains further momentum, putting additional pressure on the PCB to justify its actions and spending.
The PCB, on its part, has remained largely silent on these criticisms, preferring instead to focus on promoting the Champions Cup and its envisioned benefits for domestic cricket. The appointment of high-profile mentors was aimed at bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket, nurturing young talent, and preparing them for the rigors of international competition. Misbah-ul-Haq, one of the appointed mentors, expressed his commitment to reducing this gap and elaborated on the importance of experienced cricketers sharing their knowledge with the upcoming generation.
Despite the PCB’s intentions, it’s evident that their strategies and financial allocations have not resonated well with everyone in the cricketing community. Ahmed Shehzad’s outspoken disapproval signifies deeper fissures within the structure that governs Pakistan cricket.
As the Champions Cup approaches, it remains to be seen how the PCB will address these high-profile criticisms and whether this domestic tournament can indeed deliver on its promise to elevate the standard of cricket in Pakistan amidst the controversies swirling around its launch.
The narrative around Ahmed Shehzad’s refusal and his pointed critique of the PCB’s decisions highlights an ongoing struggle within Pakistan cricket: achieving a balance between aspirational reforms and practical, inclusive governance.
