Ahmed Shehzad: “They axed Hasan Ali from the central contracts, but not you. If that’s not favoritism, then I don’t know what is”

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Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad believes there is favouritism being shown toward spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan as he retained his central contract while fast bowler Hasan Ali was axed from the list of centrally contracted players.

Shadab is back in Pakistan’s limited overs squads, but has faced criticism for his inconsistent performances.

During the three-match ODI series against Australia, the 27-year-old took two wickets at an average of 69.

Batting-wise, he accumulated 100 runs, which included a top score of 71, at an average of 100.

“They axed Hasan Ali from the central contracts, but not you. If that’s not favoritism, then I don’t know what is,” Shehzad was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Shadab wasn’t picked for Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies and England.

The men in green are currently playing two Tests against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, and will then head to England for three Tests between August 19 and September 13.

Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah

Pakistan Squad for England Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah

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