Following a narrow 2–1 defeat to Bangladesh in the recent One Day International (ODI) series, former Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has launched a scathing critique of the national team’s leadership and management. Shehzad warned that Pakistan cricket is now in a precarious state, teetering on the edge of international decline.
After losing the third ODI in Dhaka by just 11 runs, Shehzad addressed his concerns on his YouTube channel, directly criticising captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and head coach Michael Hussey. He argued that the management continues to create excuses rather than resolving persistent problems. “Even after a humiliating performance in the T20 World Cup, no substantial changes were made,” Shehzad said. “Suddenly, young players were brought in, and now, after losing the series, the excuse is their inclusion. Improvement is impossible if mistakes are not acknowledged.”
Shehzad also questioned the absence of experienced batsmen Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during the series. While Afridi and Hussey cited rest periods, chief selector Aqib Javed revealed they had sustained injuries in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Shehzad criticised the inconsistencies, stating, “The team’s explanations are contradictory, and the decision-making process is precarious.”
Additionally, Shehzad challenged the tactical decision to field first after winning the toss in the third ODI. “The pitch was good. We should have batted first and then bowled under the lights. When senior players make such decisions, what can be expected from young players?” he remarked.
Shehzad linked this series defeat to Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, in which they failed to reach the Super Eight stage, and highlighted the team’s inability to reach semifinals in four consecutive ICC events.
He also dismissed arguments citing wins against Australia and South Africa, noting, “Those teams never played with their full-strength squads. If the aim was to fix Pakistan cricket, the changes should have been implemented by now.” His most severe criticism was blunt: “The team is now operating at an associate level. People are beginning to compare Pakistan to Zimbabwe. And then we blame run rates for World Cup exits. There should be some shame.”
Recent Pakistan ODI Series Results
| Match | Date | Opponent | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Dhaka | Bangladesh | Bangladesh won | 7 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | Dhaka | Bangladesh | Pakistan won | 25 runs |
| 3rd ODI | Dhaka | Bangladesh | Bangladesh won | 11 runs |
The analysis of Shehzad’s criticism alongside the series outcome underscores that Pakistan cricket urgently requires structural reforms in leadership, selection policy, and player management to restore its competitive edge on the international stage.