World Cup 2019: Mohammad Shahzad hurls ‘conspiracy’ allegations against ACB

A few days ago, Mohammad Shahzad was ruled out of the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. The 32-year-old developed a knee injury during the warm-up match against Pakistan. Thereafter, the wicketkeeper-batsman played a couple of matches in the main round versus Australia and Sri Lanka. But he got out for 0 and 7 respectively, after which the bombshell of his omission hit him.

Recently, before leaving for Kabul, Shahzad mentioned that there’s no issue surrounding his fitness and he has been forcefully ruled out of the tournament. The Nangarhar-born Shahzad, who’s Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in ODIs, didn’t get to play even the 2015 World Cup. After reaching the capital, the veteran didn’t mince any words in lashing out at the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

He was quite clear-cut in saying that a few of the officials in the board conspired against him. He also talked about the three persons, who knew about the entire development. Furthermore, Shahzad went on to reveal that he got to know about the omission after completing the training session prior to the match against New Zealand on Saturday, June 8 in Taunton.

None of the players in the team bus knew about it, says Shahzad

“I still don’t know why I was ruled unfit when I was fit enough to play. Some people in the board (ACB) have conspired against me. Only manager, doctor and the captain knew that I was going to be replaced. Even the coach (Phil Simmons) found out much later. It was heart-breaking,” the experienced Shahzad was quoted as saying in Business Standard.

“I had finished my training (ahead of the New Zealand game) and only after I checked my phone, I found out that I have been ruled out of the World Cup due to a knee injury. None of the players in the team bus knew about it and just like me, they were in shock (at the news),” the explosive opener added.

After Shahzad was ruled out, the 18-year-old Ikram Ali Khil was called up and the latter played in the game versus the Black Caps as well. The Afghans are currently on a break and are next scheduled to lock horns with South Africa on Saturday, June 15 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.