‘IPL has competitive superstars, PSL hires retired players’:Pakistan cricket receives reality check about deep-rooted ‘ego’ issues

Team India claimed the T20 World Cup recently, but Pakistan hit another low, losing the ODI series 1-2 to Bangladesh after being eliminated from WC. This poor run triggered backlash from a former Pakistan cricketer who hailed Indian cricket for its infrastructure while pointing out holes in Pakistani cricket. Ahmad Shahzad, ex-opener for Pak lashed out at the downfall of cricket in his nation and what their team is doing wrong. Meanwhile, he drew parallels with Indian cricket, which is thriving in white-ball formats, noting what India is doing better in the sport than Pakistan. ‘Retired players become brand faces in PSL, IPL is competitive’: Shahzad While speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘Ahmad Shahzad Cricket’, former Pakistani player said regarding why India keeps producing pool of talented players, “If you look at the IPL, they’ve got many superstars in their league who make the league competitive.” Also Read: Afghanistan-Pak conflict triggers suspense over Bangladeshi players’ PSL attendance: BCB cites security concerns “On the other hand, PSL has hired retired players and commentators and made them superstars over the last 3–4 years; even retired players become your brand faces,” Shahzad further added. However, his criticism did not stop at player development; he further targeted the player-first culture of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is continuously affecting the performance of the national team. Shahzad questions PCB’s player-first culture In his YouTube video, Shahzad further questioned, “The calibre of your players is not at that level, which was built up as a baran by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 and 7 years ago. These 6-8 boys they are also the face of the PSL. They are also the face of our Pakistan team. Will they change Pakistan’s destiny?” “You provided all the sponsorships to those boys, endorsed them, and invested money in them. …And what have they done now? The fire they have lit in the jungle, the fun and parties they have had, the pockets they have filled, the enjoyment they have had, they haven’t given Pakistan any wins by doing so.” Shahzad’s lash out was about the board did not merely back a core group but also invested in their image, leadership, and commercial value, without establishing the accountability that should come with that level of trust. Pakistani players don’t take accountability for failures After pointing out leadership and management issues, Ahmad Shahzad further accused players of refusing to own the team’s failures even after repeated disappointments. Also Read: Mitchell Starc, Lockie Ferguson to miss start of IPL 2026: SRH all-rounder Jake Edwards ruled out with foot injury “Such is the audacity that even today, they are ready to admit that we are responsible. Not a single one of those players. Even today, they play the blame game. Even today, their ego is such that it isn’t breaking. So weak is the Pakistan Cricket Board now,” he added. “I have never seen the Pakistan Cricket Board this weak in my life, as weak as this PCB is. They have power, right? But in their decision-making, they appear to be kneeling before their players,” he added. Overall, Shahzad’s outburst did not point out the recent failures, but he revealed the deep-rooted issues in Pakistan cricket that promote stars and fail to bring accountability and fresh talent.