Out-of-favour Pakistan batter bids 'heartfelt goodbye to PSL' after going unpicked in 2024 Player Draft

Pakistan batter Ahmad Shahzad on Friday, December 15, bid a "heartfelt goodbye" to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after not being picked by any franchises in the 2024 player draft. In a protest move, the 32-year-old claimed that there was a deliberate attempt by all six franchises to keep him out of the league. He has not been part of the PSL since the 2022 edition. 

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"A heartfelt goodbye to Pakistan Super League! I'm writing this note which I thought I wouldn't be writing this year. Another PSL draft goes by and same old story - didn't get picked. God knows why!," Shahzad wrote on his X post. 

The out-of-favour opener played for Quetta Gladiators in the first edition of the PSL and was retained for the 2017 edition. Notably, he played a key role in their title-winning campaign in the 2019 PSL. However, no team showed interest in him for the 2022 edition. 

In his note of disappointment, Shahzad pointed out that he has better stats than some of the other players who have been picked. The Lahore-born cricketer has been giving his best in the domestic circuit. He even turned down a contract from the Abu Dhabi T10 League, saying he is determined to make a return to the Pakistan national team. 

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"I have tried really hard by giving it all in domestic circuit consistently in last few years, and did reasonably well in the National T20 Cup just before the PSL draft. There seems a deliberate effort to keep me out, even when franchises have opted for other performers with inferior numbers than me. But when everything is pre-planned so it doesn't really matter. I don't know whose responsibility it is to get top domestic performers in the PSL then," he added. 

I'm parting ways for my own self respect: Shahzad

The right-handed batter, who said he decided to quit playing in the PSL for his self-respect, said that soon everyone would know the reason for his exclusion. "But I exactly know the reasons why I'm not made part of the PSL - the whole country, and my fans will know it very soon."

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"I'm parting ways and saying goodbye to Pakistan Super League for my own self respect. I've never played for money and will never do it. While many chose international leagues across the globe, I decided to grind in the domestic circuit to prove my love for the game, and to wear the Green Flag again. I'm taking this decision keeping money out of it (was offered several contracts to play leagues yet chose Pakistan)."

Shahzad, who was a part of the Pakistan team that won the 2009 World Twenty20, ended the note with a bombshell. He said he will always put his country first and will not give up his "honesty and dedication" for anything. 

Check out his X post below: 

A heartfelt goodbye! pic.twitter.com/7NdjpCXjeR

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) December 15, 2023