Pakistani actor Bilal Qureshi has made an emotional appeal to the Pakistan Cricket Board on behalf of former national cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, asking the board to give the talented opener one more opportunity to prove himself to his young son and the entire nation.
Sharing a clip of Ahmed Shehzad on Instagram, Bilal Qureshi wrote in the caption: “I request the PCB to give Ahmed Shehzad a chance so that he can prove to his 9-year-old son and the entire nation that he can play”.
The appeal came after a heart-wrenching viral video featuring Ahmed Shehzad on TV host Tabish Hashmi’s show. When asked how he felt about being out of the PSL for the last three years despite previously being part of a championship-winning team, Shehzad said he feels deeply saddened for himself. The cricketer, who hasn’t played in the PSL since 2020, broke down during the interview.
Holding back tears, Shehzad shared that his greatest pain is that his 9-year-old son now wants to see him play. “My son sleeps beside me and tries to comfort me by saying, ‘Dad, I remember you used to play. Now I will be able to remember you properly’, he revealed emotionally.
Ahmed Shehzad, who was once Pakistan’s brightest opening prospect and the first Pakistani to score a T20I century during the 2014 World Cup, has been sidelined from both PSL and international cricket. Despite possessing undeniable talent, including Test centuries against Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand, disciplinary issues and controversies have marred his career.
Bilal Qureshi’s public support has sparked debate among cricket fans, with many sympathizing with Shehzad’s desire to show his son that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Whether the PCB responds to this emotional appeal remains to be seen.
