Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad Credits India Star After Finding Form
Ahmed Shahzad ( Credits: Getty Images)

Out-of-favour Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad is finally having something to cheer about. The right-handed batsman’s career had gone pretty much off the track due to poor form and doping controversy not very long ago.  In August last year, he was omitted from Pakistan’s centrally contracted players before being suspended due to doping violations.  Shehzad was charged with two violations of the PCB’s anti-doping rules after he tested positive for a banned substance in July.

He had undergone a random dope test conducted during the Pakistan Cup domestic tournament last year and was handed a four-month ban. As a result, he did not play any level of cricket during that period. His ban was then extended by six weeks by the Pakistan Cricket Board after  he was found guilty of breaching the ruling on his four-month suspension. His original ban was supposed to end on November 10 but was then extended to December 22.  Shehzad had faced the extended suspension after playing club cricket for PCB-accredited Muslim Gymkhana on multiple occasions.

Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad Credits India Star After Finding Form
Ahmed Shehzad ( Credits: Getty Images)

But things are finally falling in place for him in the ongoing Pakistan Super League where he is playing for Quetta Gladiators.  The start was a disastrous one for him as he managed to score just 2 runs from the opening two games.

However, he finally got back his mojo and has scored fifties in his last two outings including a match-winning knock of 72 against Islamabad United. The Pakistan star has now credited legendary Sachin Tendulkar for turning things around.

“I had a talk with Sachin and he was stressing that you should not regret,” said Ahmed Shehzad.

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“In his interviews also, he has said that one should do so much hard work that there shouldn’t be any regret. I have tried to do that. As a Muslim, you believe that things will happen as per the wishes of Allah but if your process is good and giving 110 per cent then that’s what is important. I’m confident that I can comeback into the Pakistan team. This one thing that one shouldn’t forget and I have learnt that from a young age,” he added.

Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad Credits India Star After Finding Form
Ahmed Shehzad ( Credits: Getty Images)

Shehzad will now be hoping to make the most of his return to form as he pushes his case for World Cup selection. Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has already said that he would consider the performances in the PSL before deciding the World Cup squad. A good performance in the competition can certainly open the doors for Shehzad who last played an ODI in 2017.

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