Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has opened up about the emotional toll of being away from the national team, revealing that his nine-year-old son misses seeing him play.
In a recent appearance on the TV program Harna Mana Hai, Shehzad expressed his desire to return to cricket, saying that staying away from the field is painful, especially when his peers continue to play. “I get emotional. Honestly, it hurts a lot. I want to play. My teammates are playing and I feel happy for them, but I also ask myself—why did this happen?” he said.
Reflecting on his career, Shehzad said the days following each draft or auction for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been particularly difficult. “I have been part of this field for 18 years. Suddenly, it ends and I miss it terribly. Often I feel like crying. The first two or three days are always the hardest,” he added.
Shehzad also lamented the lack of direct communication from officials, despite nearly two decades of service to Pakistan cricket. “No one formally reached out to ask what happened, to sit down and resolve it. Some assumed I was banned, others thought I retired voluntarily. The PCB never gave a clear stance,” he said.
He lightheartedly noted that his presence could boost the PSL’s popularity, saying, “If my name is in the league, wouldn’t the profile go up? People would watch—some with love, some with hate, some just for fun.”
Getting emotional while talking about his son, Shehzad said, “My son is now nine and he wanted to see me play. He sleeps with me and says, ‘Baba, I remember when you used to play, but now I want to see you play so I can remember it better.’ That touched me deeply.”
Despite his disappointment, Shehzad affirmed his principles and decisions, earning applause from the studio audience.
