Shadab had reminded the former cricketers that they never defeated India in a Word Cup match.
India outplayed Pakistan in all facets of the game at R. Premadasa Stadium last Sunday (February 15) to win the contest by 61 runs and make it 8-1 against the arch-rivals in T20 World Cups.
The outcome left the Pakistan cricket fraternity heartbroken, with former cricketers like Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf calling for senior players to be dropped from the team.
Amid the backlash, all-rounder Shadab Khan hit back at the critics, reminding that the current crop of players have defeated India in a Word Cup match unlike the legends of yesteryear.
“Criticism is not in our hands. Former cricketers have their own opinions. They were legends, but even they could not do what we have done. We have beaten India in a World Cup,” Shadab said while speaking to the media after Pakistan defeated Namibia by 102 runs in their last Group A clash.
However, Shadab’s remarks didn’t sit well with a number of ex-Pakistan cricketers, including Ahmed Shehzad.
During his appearance on Geo News, Shehzad alleged favoritism as he suggested that Shadab was brought back in the national team despite not playing domestic cricket regularly.
“Ek to aap chor raastey se aaye ho. (You came in through the back door). You're neither a performer nor a regular in domestic cricket. Despite not performing at all, you're getting the backing. You didn't even do rehab after getting injured. They axed Hasan Ali from the central contracts, but not you,” Shehzad said.
“If that's not favouritism, then I don't know what is. It doesn't look good when you make such statements. And you're comparing yourself with the team from the 90s? They had their issues and lost to India in World Cups, but they were far superior to you. Look at their performances; they dominated India during that period. Just because two former players criticised the team, you suddenly forgot the backing they gave you. So, learn to respect your seniors,” he added.
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir echoed similar sentiments, advising Shadab to focus on performance rather than lashing out at former players, who are only performing their job of analysing the game.
"If you're on tour, there will be criticism. So, you've got no right to say such things when you are on tour. Even though we used to get criticised during tours, my focus was to shut those critics up with my performances. So, if you're not performing, you should keep quiet," Amir remarked.
Pakistan lost to India in the group-stage, but won their remaining fixtures against Netherlands, USA and Namibia. The Men in Green will face New Zealand in their Super 8 opener in Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday (February 21).