Ahmed Shehzad

This article is about a Pakistani cricketer. For other uses, see Shehzad Ahmed (disambiguation).

Ahmed Shehzad (born 23 November 1991) is a Pakistani international cricketer.

Ahmed Shehzad

Shehzad in 2020
Personal information
Born	(1991-11-23) 23 November 1991 (age 33) Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[1]
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Legbreak
Role	Opening batter
International information
National side	Pakistan (2009–2019)
Test debut (cap 216)	31 December 2013 v Sri Lanka
Last Test	4 May 2017 v West Indies
ODI debut (cap 172)	24 April 2009 v Australia
Last ODI	16 October 2017 v Sri Lanka
ODI shirt no.	19
T20I debut (cap 26)	7 May 2009 v Australia
Last T20I	7 October 2019 v Sri Lanka
T20I shirt no.	19 (previously 93)
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2007–2019	Habib Bank Limited
2012	Barisal Burners
2012	Nagenahira Nagas
2008–2015	Lahore Lions
2013	Pakistan A cricket team
2013–2014	Jamaica Tallawahs
2015	Comilla Victorians
2016–2017, 2019	Quetta Gladiators
2016	Barbados Tridents
2018	Multan Sultans
2019–2022	Central Punjab
2019–present	Rangpur Rangers
2019/20	Dhaka Platoon
2021	Kandy Warriors
2021	Rawalakot Hawks
2023	Lahore Whites
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI T20I FC Matches 13 81 59 90 Runs scored 982 2,585 1,471 6,137 Batting average 40.91 32.56 25.80 40.91 100s/50s 3/4 6/14 1/7 14/36 Top score 176 124 111* 254 Balls bowled 48 115 6 1,349 Wickets 0 2 0 19 Bowling average – 70.00 – 49.78 5 wickets in innings – 0 – 0 10 wickets in match – 0 – 0 Best bowling – 1/22 – 4/7 Catches/stumpings 3/– 26/– 15/– 80/–
Source: CricInfo, 28 July 2022

He is an opening batsman who made his One Day International and Twenty20 International debut for Pakistan in April 2009 against Australia.^[2][3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

He grew up in a middle-class environment in a modest house near the famous Anarkali Bazaar.^[6]

On 19 September 2015, Shehzad married Sana, his childhood friend.^[7][8] They had a boy in 2017.^[9] In 2021, they had a second baby, a daughter.^[10]

Domestic and franchise career

Ahmed Shehzad was the highest run scorer in BPL 2011-12 and the best batsman of the tournament.^[11] 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.^[12][13] During the tournament he scored three centuries and three half-centuries in nine matches.^[14]

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.^[15]

In April 2018, he was named as the captain of Balochistan's squad for the 2018 Pakistan Cup.^[16][17] He scored the most runs for Baluchistan during the tournament, with 251 runs in four matches.^[18] In March 2019, he was named in Federal Areas' squad for the 2019 Pakistan Cup.^[19][20]

He failed a doping test in 2018 and was banned for 10 weeks.^[21]

In July 2019, he was selected to play for the Amsterdam Knights in the inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament.^[22][23] However, the following month the tournament was cancelled.^[24]

In September 2019, he was named in Central Punjab's squad for the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament.^[25][26] He was retained by Central Punjab for the 2020–21 domestic season.^[27] In November 2021, he was selected to play for the Colombo Stars following the players' draft for the 2021 Lanka Premier League.^[28]

On 15 December 2023, Shehzad announced that he was leaving the PSL after not being selected by any franchise.^[29]

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.^[30][31]

Shehzad made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2013 scoring 38 in the first innings and 55 in the second.^[32] 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.^[33]

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^[4]

In his One Day International career he has scored 6 hundreds and 14 half centuries.^[4] 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.^[34]

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.^[35]

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.^[36] Shehzad was caught on camera telling Dilshan:^[37]

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.^[38]

Records and achievements

Source:^[39]

• First Pakistani batsman to have scored centuries in all international formats of the game (i.e. Test, ODI and T20I).^[40][41]
• 2nd Most runs (111*)^[42] and 2nd most sixes (6) in a T20I innings by a Pakistani.^[43]
• Most runs (168) in a two–match T20I series by a Pakistani cricketer.^[44]
• 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

1. Ahmed Shehzad’s profile Archived 21 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine on Sportskeeda
2. "Ahmed Shahzad eyes ODI recall". The Express Tribune. 28 December 2016. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
3. "New central contracts guarantee earnings boost for Pakistan players". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
4. "Ahmed Shehzad". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. "Ahmad Shahzad celebrates first marriage anniversary with Sana". ARYNEWS. 19 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
8. "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.
9. "Ahmad Shahzad becomes father of baby boy". Dunya News. 14 February 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
10. "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.
11. "Bangladesh Premier League, 2011/12 Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
12. "Departmental One Day Cup, 2016/17: Most runs". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
13. "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.
14. "Shehzad hits 68 as Habib Bank take title". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
15. "Pakistan Cup, 2016 Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
16. "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.
17. "Pakistan Cup Cricket from 25th". The News International. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
18. "Pakistan Cup 2018, Balochistan: Batting and bowling averages". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
19. "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.
20. "Pakistan Cup one-day cricket from April 2". The International News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
21. "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.
22. "Eoin Morgan to represent Dublin franchise in inaugural Euro T20 Slam". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
23. "Euro T20 Slam Player Draft completed". Cricket Europe. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
24. "Inaugural Euro T20 Slam cancelled at two weeks' notice". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
25. "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.
26. "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.
27. "Six Cricket Association squads confirmed". Pakistan Cricket Board. 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
28. "Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews miss out on LPL drafts". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. "Pakistani youngster impresses Ahmed Shehzad". 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
32. "Debut Match score card". Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
33. "Pakistan's revolving door to Test cricket". ESPNcricinfo. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
34. "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.
35. "Ahmed Shehzad handed one-match ban". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
36. Farooq, Umar. "SL play down Shehzad-Dilshan incident". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
37. "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.
38. "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.
39. "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.
40. "Ahmed Shehzad - Pakistan's Greatest Opener Ever?". Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
41. "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.
42. "Batting records. Twenty20 Internationals". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
43. "[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.
44. "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