Ahmed Shahzad, has become the first player to take retirement for one particular franchise cricket league today.
He announced to bid farewell to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), following the PSL 9 Draft where he remained unpicked.
Expressing disappointment, Ahmed Shahzad cited his non-selection by the PSL franchises as a primary reason for his exit. โIโm parting ways and saying goodbye to Pakistan Super League for my own self-respect. Iโve never played for money and will never do it,โ Shahzad conveyed via X (formerly Twitter).
He emphasized his decision was devoid of monetary considerations. He reiterated his commitment to the national cause over lucrative foreign leagues.
A heartfelt goodbye! pic.twitter.com/7NdjpCXjeR
โ Ahmad Shahzad ๐ต๐ฐ (@iamAhmadshahzad) December 15, 2023
Making a poignant announcement, Shahzad declared his stance regarding future PSL participation. โI will not play the PSL again with these six teams. It seems like a shared responsibility to keep me away from PSL, and all franchises have shaken hands,โ he expressed.
Expressing gratitude towards his global fan base, Shahzad vowed to remain steadfast in refusing compromises that could undermine his loyalty to his country.
โLastly, Iโm thankful to all the support Iโve received from my fans across the world. I can only assure one thing and thatโs never giving in to unfair demands or accept anything which lets my country down.โ
Furthermore, Shahzad highlighted his consistent performance in domestic cricket, accusing PSL franchises of purposefully excluding him from the PSL.
โThere 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 doesnโt really matter. I donโt know whose responsibility it is to get top domestic performers in the PSL then,โ he added.
Notably, Ahmed Shahzad amassed 344 runs at a remarkable average of 43 and a striking strike rate of 133.33 in the National T20 Cup.
On top of that, many journalists and his fans ran campaigns across social media for his inclusion in PSL as well as Pakistanโs national team. However, all efforts failed to convince franchise owners as nobody bid to pick him.
Shahzad concluded by hinting at unveiling the reasons behind his exclusion. He also promised his supporters and the nation clarity on the matter in the near future.
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