Shehzad dismisses ‘indisciplined’ tag

Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has dismissed the tag of being <g data-gr-id="62">indisciplined</g> and having attitude problems, insisting that his ambition was to play 100 Test matches for the nation. 

The 23-year old also made it clear that he didn’t like being compared to India’s Virat Kohli nor was he keen to replicate his achievements.

“My motto is to enjoy cricket and I like playing cricket with a sense of freedom and joy. I like to dress well, eat well and am <g data-gr-id="49">bit</g> of a showman and if you don’t have <g data-gr-id="50">attitude</g> you can’t be a more than average professional sportsman,” Shehzad said. 

“But to say that I am <g data-gr-id="27">indisciplined</g> or have attitude problems is not correct. I have my own style and I like to enjoy life but that does not mean I am not a team man, good professional athlete or I don’t respect my teammates. 

Many impressions about me are misplaced,” he said. Reminded that head coach Waqar Younis and captain Misbah-ul-Haq had recommended dropping him from the national team after the World Cup because of discipline issues, Shehzad questioned whether anyone including the media had really gone through the report.

“There are <g data-gr-id="39">lot</g> of conjunctions about the report and some misunderstanding. Obviously they are differences and issues in a team which is like a family. But that does not mean I am not disciplined. 

Why they filed that report is something they can answer best,” Shehzad said.

Insisting that he had learnt and changed from his past <g data-gr-id="37">mistakes</g> Shehzad said that he would like to be treated as a <g data-gr-id="36">23 year old</g> youngster and not a 28 to 30-year-old in the team.

“I know I don’t always deliver at the crease but whenever I do I just want my team management to remember I am still just 23 years and judge my performances on that.”

Shehzad was responding to a question that although there was <g data-gr-id="41">lot</g> of stress on playing youngsters in the team he and others like Umar Akmal or Asad Shafiq tended to be scrutinised more often for their performances. 

The youngster, who has played 11 Tests and 70 one-day internationals so far also admitted that he was upset at not getting a chance to play in Lahore.