'Pure frustration' - Ramiz Raja responds to Ahmed Shehzad's allegations on Pakistan management

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has responded to a series of bold claims made by Pakistani batter Ahmed Shehzad. The right-handed batter had earlier criticised the Pakistan management for his ouster from the national team and accused a former coach of “hurting” his career. Raja, in response, called it “pure frustration” from a player who is out of the team.

Raja, a former Pakistan captain, said that he also has made comebacks to the team. He opined that, when a player is out of the team, their patience, temperament and hard work are tested. He added that there is no way he would be dropped from the team if he keeps scoring.

“See, I too have made comebacks. This is pure frustration that gets to a player,” said Raja, in a press conference on Wednesday. “They start blaming everyone. I think he needs to introspect. When you are out of the team, your patience is tested, your temperament is tested, your hard work is tested,” he added. 

My message to him Shehzad is, ‘let the bat do the talking’: Ramiz Raja

Shehzad made his Pakistan debut in 2009 and has appeared in 13 Tests, 81 ODIs and 59 T20Is. He last played for Pakistan in 2019 in a T20I against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Raja gave the example of Shan Masood who has forced himself back into the team after having a great season in the T20 Blast.

“So my message to him is, ‘let the bat do the talking’. Keep scoring, there is no way you will be dropped from the team. Look at Shan Masood. He has forced himself back in the team through sheer number of runs,” added Raja.

Meanwhile, Waqar Younis had submitted a report to the PCB, in 2016 when he was the team coach, expressing that Umar Akmal and Shehzad should return to the domestic circuit and earn their places back in the national side. “Their words hurt my career, especially since I was not allowed to present my case,” said Shehzad, in response to the report, as quoted by Hindustan Times. 

“I have said this before, and I will say it again, Kohli’s career picked off amazingly because he found MS Dhoni but unfortunately, here in Pakistan, your people cannot stand your success,” stated Shehzad further.