Pakistani keeper-batter Kamran Akmal criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not allowing out-of-favor opener Ahmad Shahzad into the high-performance camp.
This happened after Shahzad, who was once one of the most talented batters Pakistan produced and the first Pakistani to hit a T20I century, slammed the PCB for his ousting from the squad. He also blamed the then Pakistan coach Waqar Younis for his unceremonious exit from the squad and also said he was not allowed to tell his side of the story.
Speaking on YouTube channel paktv.tv, Akmal revealed that PCB refused permission to Shahzad saying the camp was not for players who have been out of the squad for more than two years.
“They don't allow him in the high-performance training camp. They told him that players who are out of the side for the past 2 years are not allowed. This is the state (of cricket here). They are basically denying entry to players who have represented Pakistan in 100-150 matches. I don't know where we are going,” Akmal said on paktv.tv.
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Akmal further said that the process of requesting permission from PCB via email to enter the camp should be for the U19 players and not for cricketers who have played for Pakistan or at the senior level for a substantial amount of time.
“You've made a high-performance camp for cricketers. At least make it available for them. Now, you have to send an e-mail to the team's office before entering. What's the logic behind this? Even if you are making such SOPs, do this for U19 players,” he added.
Akmal also went on to add that when he used to play for Pakistan, the current PCB chairman Ramiz Raja used to access the facilities.
"When we were there, Ramiz bhai used to access the facilities inside the training camp. He knows these things. People should ask, why are these SOPs in place? He should take notice of this. Ramiz bhai used to come to the camp years after retiring from the game.
Can the people at the high-performance camp dare to stop him now? Can they stop Wasim bhai, and Shoaib Akhtar now? I was so sad when Ahmad was stopped from entering, they told him he can't use the facility because he has been out of the team for 2 years,” Akmal said.
