New Delhi: Ahmed Shehzad has rejected a chance to play in the Abu Dhabi T10 League with an eye on making a return to the Pakistan team.
The out-of-favour opener has decided to play in a domestic T20 tournament to increase his chances of being considered for selection.
He revealed through social media that he has “politely refused” a T20 league contract from Bangla Tigers despite getting approval to play from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
His decision comes a day after the team’s new director Mohammad Hafeez urged players to prioritise playing for Pakistan over lucrative T20 franchise leagues around the world after pacer Haris Rauf made himself unavailable for the upcoming three-match Test series beginning on December 14.
Shehzad has last played for Pakistan in a T20I in 2019. He has been in impressive form in the National T20 Cup domestic tournament in Karachi, scoring three half centuries.
‘Unfinished business’
“I have respectfully refused a contract to play in the ongoing season of Abu Dhabi T10 League as I believe I have some unfinished business with my team Lahore Whites in the National T20 Cup, and I want to carry on playing domestic cricket in Pakistan,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The right hand batter said he has always believed in putting Pakistan first, and will continue to strive towards earning a place in the national team again, hoping to set an example for youngsters watching him and others play in this tournament.
In 13 Test matches, Shehzad has scored 982 runs at an average of 40.91, with three centuries while 81 ODIs fetched 2,605 runs at an average of 32.56, including six centuries.
In T20Is, he has managed 1471 runs in 59 matches, at an average of 25.80, with a hundred and seven fifties but his career was blighted for a four-month ban on doping violation in 2018
Shehzad faced off-field issues as he was banned for 4 months for a doping violation in 2018. With the T20 World Cup approaching in 6 month’s times, Shehzad will be looking to grab the attention of the selectors.
