Ahmed Shehzad (born 23 November 1991) is a former Pakistani international cricketer.
He is an opening batsman who made his One Day International and Twenty20 International debut for Pakistan in April 2009 against Australia.[1][2] He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. In the 2014 T20 World Cup, he became the first Pakistani to score a century in a T20 world cup, with his 111 against Bangladesh.[3]
Early and personal life
Shehzad was born on 23 November 1991 in Lahore. He was born into a Pashtun family of the Afridi clan and, besides English and Urdu, he can speak Pashto as well.[4]
He grew up in a middle-class environment in a modest house near the famous Anarkali Bazaar.[5]
On 19 September 2015, Shehzad married Sana, his childhood friend.[6][7] They had a boy in 2017.[8] In 2021, they had a second baby, a daughter.[9]
Domestic and franchise career
Ahmed Shehzad was the highest run scorer in BPL 2011-12 and the best batsman of the tournament.[10] Shehzad was the leading run-scorer in the 2016–17 Departmental One Day Cup, with 653 runs, including a career-best score in List A cricket of 166 in the semi-final. He was also the captain of the team.[11][12] During the tournament he scored three centuries and three half-centuries in nine matches.[13]
He was the highest runs scorer and man of the tournament in 2016 Pakistan Cup. He scored 372 runs in only 5 matches with the help of 3 half centuries and a hundred.[14]
In April 2018, he was named as the captain of Balochistan's squad for the 2018 Pakistan Cup.[15][16] He scored the most runs for Baluchistan during the tournament, with 251 runs in four matches.[17] In March 2019, he was named in Federal Areas' squad for the 2019 Pakistan Cup.[18][19]
He failed a doping test in 2018 and was banned for 10 weeks.[20]
In July 2019, he was selected to play for the Amsterdam Knights in the inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament.[21][22] However, the following month the tournament was cancelled.[23]
In September 2019, he was named in Central Punjab's squad for the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament.[24][25] He was retained by Central Punjab for the 2020–21 domestic season.[26] In November 2021, he was selected to play for the Colombo Stars following the players' draft for the 2021 Lanka Premier League.[27]
On 15 December 2023, Shehzad announced that he was leaving the PSL after not being selected by any franchise.[28]
International career
Shehzad made his first-class debut in 2007. The innings which led to a call-up for the national team was a 167 he scored in Pakistan Youth's victory against England.[29][30]
Shehzad made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2013 scoring 38 in the first innings and 55 in the second.[31] Ahmed Shehzad was part of the Test squad against South Africa in UAE. However he wasn't selected in the playing XI in either of the 2 Tests against South Africa.[32]
He has a 40+ test average for Pakistan Cricket Team with the help of 3 hundreds and 3 half centuries. His test hundreds have been scored against Sri Lanka where he scored 147 runs, Australia where he scored 136 runs and New Zealand where he scored 176 runs[3]
In his One Day International career he has scored 6 hundreds and 14 half centuries.[3] In his Twenty20 International career, he has scored 1 hundred 7 fifties. He is First Pakistani player who has scored a century in all three forms of cricket.[33]
Controversies
Shehzad was issued a one-match ban in 2011 for showing dissent in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, one month before being issued a fine on disciplinary grounds.[34]
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued Shehzad an official reprimand after his frequent quarrels with Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan about Dilshan's conversion from Islam to Buddhism.[35] Shehzad was caught on camera telling Dilshan:[36]
If you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven.
— Ahmed Shehzad's statement on Dilshan.
During a Pakistan Super League group stage match vs Peshawar Zalmi, Shehzad had an exchange of words and physical conflict with bowler Wahab Riaz. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed a fine on both players and issued an official warning to them.[37]
Records and achievements
Source:[38]
- First Pakistani batsman to have scored centuries in all international formats of the game (i.e. Test, ODI and T20I).[39][40]
- 2nd Most runs (111*)[41] and 2nd most sixes (6) in a T20I innings by a Pakistani.[42]
- Most runs (168) in a two–match T20I series by a Pakistani cricketer.[43]
- He is 2nd fastest 5000 runs scorer in T20 cricket from Pakistan[citation needed]
- He is 2nd highest centuries maker in T20 cricket from Asia after Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam.[citation needed]
- Highest run scorer for the Lahore Lions.[citation needed]
- Second quickest batsman to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket (76 innings) just behind Lokesh Rahul.[citation needed]
- Highest run scorer for the Quetta Gladiators until 2021.[citation needed]
- First Pakistani batsman to hit three consecutive sixes in T20I.[citation needed]
- Holds the record for the most boundaries in a single T20 inning (20 fours)[citation needed]
- He is the first Pakistani who scored hundred against Cricket South Africa in South Africa[citation needed]
- He is youngest Pakistani player who scored 150+ runs in a test inning[citation needed]
- He had the record of fastest century in t20 Cricket from Pakistan just in 40 balls until 2020 [citation needed]
- He had the record of highest t20i partnership for Pakistan along with Mohammad Hafeez 143* until 2021[citation needed]
- He has the record of Most catches in the field for Pakistan national under-19 cricket team[citation needed]
- He has the record of 2nd Most centuries from Pakistan in t20 Cricket 5 centuries[citation needed]
- He has the record of Most Half centuries for Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League[citation needed]
- He has the record of Most centuries in knockout t20 matches 3 centuries[citation needed]
- He has the record of Most Half centuries in the finals of Pakistan Super League 2 half centuries in 3 finals[citation needed]
- He scored first half century of tournament in Kashmir Premier League history[citation needed]
- Being captain he scored 630+ runs with the help of 3 centuries and 3 half centuries in nine games of departmental one day cup 2016 and won the final for his team HBL and got the award of Man of the final[citation needed]
- He was man of the tournament in BPL 2012.[citation needed]
- He scored 341 runs with the average of 51 for Quetta Gladiators in 4th edition of PSL and lift the trophy for his team first time[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Ahmed Shahzad eyes ODI recall". The Express Tribune. 28 December 2016. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "New central contracts guarantee earnings boost for Pakistan players". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ a b c "Ahmed Shehzad". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ Khan, Atta Ur Rehman (27 July 2020). "Ahmed Shehzad's protein is as expensive as you can imagine". BOL News. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
It may be recalled that Ahmed Shehzad was born on November 23, 1991 in Lahore to a Pashtun family and that is why he can speak English and Urdu as well as Pashto [...] Ahmed Shehzad belongs to the well-known tribe Afridi, before this very important players like Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul also belong to the Afridi tribe.
- ^ Farooq, Umar (25 June 2015). "Shehzad stumbling after promising start". CricInfo.
Hailing from a middle-class family that lived in a modest house near the famous shopping street Anarkali in Lahore, Shehzad had real talent.
- ^ "Ahmad Shahzad celebrates first marriage anniversary with Sana". ARYNEWS. 19 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Who'll dress cricketer Ahmed Shahzad on his wedding day? Faraz Manan!". Dawn. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ "Ahmad Shahzad becomes father of baby boy". Dunya News. 14 February 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "Cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has been blessed with a daughter". Dawn News. 4 June 2021. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ "Bangladesh Premier League, 2011/12 Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ "Departmental One Day Cup, 2016/17: Most runs". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ "Departmental One Day Cup, 1st Semi-final: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited v Habib Bank Limited at Karachi, Dec 31, 2016". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ "Shehzad hits 68 as Habib Bank take title". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan Cup, 2016 Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ "Pakistan Cup one-day tournament to begin in Faisalabad next week". Geo TV. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "Pakistan Cup Cricket from 25th". The News International. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ^ "Pakistan Cup 2018, Balochistan: Batting and bowling averages". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "Federal Areas aim to complete hat-trick of Pakistan Cup titles". Pakistan Cricket Board. 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan Cup one-day cricket from April 2". The International News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
- ^ "Ahmed Shehzad makes brutally honest admission about doping ban". Batting with Bimal. 4 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Eoin Morgan to represent Dublin franchise in inaugural Euro T20 Slam". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- ^ "Euro T20 Slam Player Draft completed". Cricket Europe. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- ^ "Inaugural Euro T20 Slam cancelled at two weeks' notice". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- ^ "PCB announces squads for 2019-20 domestic season". Pakistan Cricket Board. 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Sarfaraz Ahmed and Babar Azam to take charge of Pakistan domestic sides". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Six Cricket Association squads confirmed". Pakistan Cricket Board. 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews miss out on LPL drafts". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ Dawn.com (15 December 2023). "Dejected Ahmad Shahzad quits PSL over 'deliberate snub' by teams". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ administrator (30 May 2012). "Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan) – Player Profile, News, Stats, Wiki, Photos & Videos". Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ "Pakistani youngster impresses Ahmed Shehzad". 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ "Debut Match score card". Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ "Pakistan's revolving door to Test cricket". ESPNcricinfo. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ "Dreamt of becoming first Pakistani player to score a century in all three formats, says Ahmed Shehzad". The Indian Express. 30 March 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ "Ahmed Shehzad handed one-match ban". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ Farooq, Umar. "SL play down Shehzad-Dilshan incident". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ "Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad attacks Tillakaratne Dilshan over religion". India Today. 15 September 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Wahab Riaz, Ahmed Shehzad involved in an ugly fight during PSL; fined heavily by PCB". Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Ahmed Shehzad Records, Test match, ODI, T20, IPL international batting bowling fielding records". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "Ahmed Shehzad - Pakistan's Greatest Opener Ever?". Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Dreamt of becoming first Pakistani player to score a century in all three formats, says Ahmed Shehzad". The Indian Express. 30 March 2014. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Batting records. Twenty20 Internationals". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "[Records] Ahmed Shehzad: most runs, most sixes in T20 by a Pakistani – CricNama". Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "Statistics / Batting / Most runs in two–match T20I series". Howstat. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
External links
- Official Facebook
- Ahmed Shehzad at ESPNcricinfo
- Ahmed Shehzad's profile page on Wisden
