'Pakistan players were smiling at airport' - Ahmed Shehzad blasts Babar Azam's team for being shameless

Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad lashed out at the Babar Azam-led side for not respecting the sentiments of the fans after their poor performances in the T20 World Cup. He said that when the team arrived in Pakistan after the airport, they were smiling as they had no regrets about what they had done. 

Pakistan Cricket Team had a torrid outing in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Babar Azam-led side had one of the worst performances in the tournament as they faced a group exit and bagged some humiliating losses, which led to their debacle. 

To start the tournament, Pakistan faced a shambolic loss against the United States of America, which was rated as the biggest upset in cricket history. They lost the match in the Super over and then after that nothing went their way. 

Pakistan then went on to lose against India as well. It was a poor performance from their end as they lost the game from the winning position. Two losses in the tournament meant curtains for them as they failed to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament. 

After the tournament, a few of the Pakistan players went on the holidays and they received a lot of criticism for that as well. Ahmed Shehzad wasn't impressed with the way, the Babar Azam-led side returned home after the poor performances in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Ahmed Shehzad highlighted how Pakistan players have almost forgotten what happened in the T20 World Cup 2024 as they are seen taking pictures and returning home with a big smile. He added that they are sprinkling salt on the people's wounds and they don't have sense at all. Speaking to a TV channel, he explained: 

"Representing Pakistan is a big thing. And when they give good performances, we should be happy and we are happy. And it's not meant to be shown. But when you've played such cricket, and you haven't won anything in the last 4-5 years,  you can't get out of your grief. The World Cup is a big thing. People dream of playing in the World Cup. To be a part of the Pakistan team. And playing in the World Cup is a big thing. 

"After that, I've seen some players with a proper DSLR camera, they've returned after 4 days. Wounds are still fresh, and people's grief is fresh. They're getting pictures taken of club cricket, and they're making it viral, and they're giving it to journalists, and they're telling them that they've scored so many runs. They are coming to the airport. When a person comes to the airport, he bows his head and leaves. And he tries to sit in his car. Now, they are smiling, laughing.  Now, they are sprinkling more salt on people's grief. So, there should be a little sense prevailing here. Those who are guiding them,  at least tell them how you're going to live for a month or two, and what you're going to do." 

If the performance doesn't go well, at least there should be a grief show - Ahmed Shehzad 

Ahmed Shehzad further pointed out that people are not at all happy with the antics of the Pakistan team. He stressed that fans are very sad but the team isn't showing any grief. He lashed out at a few players for posting their pictures on social media while playing club cricket and stated: 

"Because people don't like what they're doing. At least, we don't like it. And whoever we're talking to, because a person has so much grief as an athlete,  that you dream. I've said this before, we play cricket to win the ICC events and not the bilateral. And if the performance doesn't go well, at least there should be a grief show. They should connect with people should, that, yes, they're very sad, they're in a lot of grief. 

"It's not just us. And when you come and give gestures like this,  someone has entered the club to show off, and the pictures are coming out. What's the point? Why didn't these pictures come out earlier while playing club cricket? Now, what's the point? So, this is what we've been talking about,  that all these things,  through media, PR media,  through PR agencies,  all these things are not right. People are not liking anything at this time. Think about it," he concluded.

Ahmad Shahzad said "Some players landed in Pakistan and were smiling at the airport as if they were not embarrassed by the performance of the team in the World Cup. They just don't care about the sentiments of fans; they have no regrets at all" 🇵🇰💔💔 pic.twitter.com/0uY12zjb5B

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) June 28, 2024