Tag: ahmad shahzad

Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has questioned the elevation of Babar Azam as an opener after his run drought ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Babar, who has yet to score an ODI century since his mammoth 151 against Nepal, is recently going through a rough patch after a string of low scores.

After his promotion as an opener, the right-handed batter returned with scores of  10, 23, and 29 in the recently concluded tri-nation series featuring New Zealand and South Africa.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Shehzad questioned his role as an opener after poor form.

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“And now he has been promoted from number three to an opener, which should not have been done because he has not scored many runs recently. If his confidence was high, then such an experiment might have worked,” said the top-order batter.

“Recently, Babar’s form is not that good, and yet you are changing his batting position, which, in my opinion, is unjust, said Shehzad.

Ahmed Shehzad suggested that Babar should bat at the No.3 position in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing his previous performances in the above mentioned position.

“I personally believe that ODI is the most-suited format for Babar Azam because his game is natural in this format and he does not need to improvise much.”

“So, over the years, it has suited him well, especially at the number three position,” said Shehzad.

He also said the ODI format has undergone a significant overhaul in a decade. Since our team lost wickets at the top, Babar was the mainstay at number three, and he used to stabilize the innings.

“Although ODI cricket has evolved over the years since we lose wickets at the top, Babar, at number three, used to stabilize the innings, which was his role,” said the right-handed batter.

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Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has questioned the national selectors over the squad chosen for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, raising concerns about the lack of consistency and planning in team selection.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming tri-nation ODI series, involving New Zealand and South Africa, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Friday.

Following the announcement, Ahmed Shehzad took to his official X (formerly Twitter) and raised concerns over a few decisions, particularly the inclusion of one specialist spinner in the line-up.

“Only one genuine spinner in Champions Trophy squad and you are playing in Pakistan and UAE are you serious?” he wrote.

Shehzad also expressed his surprise at the uncertainty surrounding the opening combination of Pakistan.

“2 new openers will be playing directly in Champions Trophy; Fakhar making a comeback and we still don’t know who will open with him,” he added.

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He further raised concerns over the inclusion of Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf, both of whom earned recalls, despite having little to no recent 50-over experience.

“Faheem & Usman make there way back in the team from T20 tournament happening in Bangladesh without playing any ODI cricket in recent past for the country. Are you guys for real?” he stated.

Another selection call that left Shehzad baffled was the inclusion of Saud Shakeel, questioning where he would even fit in the playing XI.

“And where are you willing to adjust Saud Shakeel? Another one came directly into the champions trophy squad,” he remarked.

Despite his strong criticism, Ahmed Shehzad ended his remarks on a positive note, expressing his unwavering support for the national team.

“All the best Team Pakistan. Besides all the blunders our prayers still will be with you,” he concluded.

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Test cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has presented a cheque of one million rupees to star athlete Arshad Nadeem for winning the silver medal at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

Ahmad Shahzad congratulated Arshad Nadeem on winning the medal and making Pakistan proud.

“Arshad Nadeem has created a new history by winning this medal,” said Ahmad Shahzad. “He will also win a medal for Pakistan in the Asian Games as well as in the Paris Olympics.”

Arshad Nadeem made history last month as he clinched a silver medal, at the World Athletics Championship. This was Pakistan’s first-ever medal in the tournament’s history.

Arshad Nadeem secured the silver with his best throw in his third attempt which went at a distance of 87.82 meters.

Arshad started things slowly with a 74.80m throw in his first attempt, however, he made a sounding comeback with an 82.81m throw in his second attempt.

Supporting & Encouraging our Heroes who hoist the Green Flag 🇵🇰 across the Globe. My little contribution of Rs. 1mn to power our new Superhero Athletics Star Arshad Nadeem.

Insha'Allah he will bring more medal for Pakistan at Asian Games & Paris Olympics. Love you bro & all my… pic.twitter.com/gzmvScAvbz

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) September 17, 2023

His aforementioned third throw, proved to be his best in the season, going as far as 87.82 meters, while his fourth attempt could only go at 87.12m.

His fifth and sixth attempts failed to breach Neeraj Chopra’s 88.17-meter mark, hence settling for a silver.

Prior to that, Arshad Nadeem secured his place for the final of the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, as well as, the Paris Olympics in 2024 in the qualifying round of the World Athletics Championship.

Arshad Nadeem started off the qualifying round of the javelin throw event with a 70.63m throw in his first attempt, while in his second attempt, he threw his javelin at a distance of 81.53 meters.

However, the Automatic qualifying mark for the final of the World Athletics Championship was 83 meters, while the benchmark for the Paris Olympics was 85.50 meters.

Arshad Nadeem breached both benchmarks in his third attempt with an amazing 86.79-meter throw, consequently qualifying for both events.

It is worth mentioning that Arshad Nadeem was declared fit for the World Athletics Championship earlier this month by the medical board, after being ruled out of the Asian Athletics Championship, due to an injury to his left knee.

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