Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has expressed concerns about Pakistan’s recently announced ODI squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series and made serious allegations regarding the treatment of young wicketkeeper-batsman Haseebullah Khan in domestic cricket.
Pakistan recently revealed its squad for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, with Shaheen Afridi appointed as captain. The selection drew attention due to the absence of several promising young players, while some experienced names were still included in the team.
During a discussion on a local media platform, Shehzad questioned the reasoning behind the current selections and raised concerns about how emerging players are being treated within the cricket system.
He specifically mentioned Haseebullah Khan, saying the young wicketkeeper-batsman was sidelined despite performing well for Pakistan Shaheens. According to Shehzad, after delivering strong performances for the Shaheens, Haseebullah returned to domestic cricket but was unexpectedly benched, even though domestic matches are important for players aiming to reach the national team.
The ODI squad was reportedly finalized by a group that included Director of Domestic Cricket Khurram Niazi, Chief Selector Aqib Javed, head coach Mike Hesson, and advisor Misbah-ul-Haq.
Shehzad claimed that the player later asked about the reason behind the decision and suggested that the question may have been taken negatively by former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
According to Shehzad, after that conversation, Haseebullah was not only left out of the playing XI but remained on the bench for the entire season. He also alleged that the issue went beyond selection, claiming the player’s salary was stopped following the incident.
Shehzad further said that during selection discussions, negative feedback about the player was reportedly shared, including claims related to attitude or disciplinary concerns.
He added that situations like this can create uncertainty and frustration for young cricketers who are trying to build their careers through domestic and development pathways.
Pakistan’s ODI squad is scheduled to travel to Bangladesh on March 11 for the three-match series as the team begins a new phase in its white-ball cricket setup.
