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ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has claimed that the team management created a spot for Shadab Khan in the national T20 side at the expense of Sufiyan Muqeem, sparking debates over team selection policies.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking on a private sports broadcast, Shehzad said Sufiyan Muqeem was dropped to make way for Shadab Khan, adding that another high-ranked player, Abrar Ahmed, was also benched to accommodate Shadab Khan despite his strong T20 ranking.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team is suffering because of the coach,\u201d Shehzad said. \u201cIf Sufiyan had played, Shadab would have struggled to get a chance. There\u2019s a world of difference in performance between Abrar and Shadab.\u201d<\/p>\n Former fast bowler Mohammad Amir also weighed in, saying, \u201cI was Micky Arthur\u2019s favourite, but when I didn\u2019t perform in the Asia Cup, he even dropped me from the Test series.\u201d<\/p>\n Ex-cricketer Abdur Rauf noted that foreign coaches have different selection parameters when working in their own countries, which often change when they coach in Pakistan.<\/p>\n Pakistan\u2019s narrow defeat to the England cricket team in the ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match on February 24 has sparked intense debate among fans and cricket experts.<\/p>\n Chasing a target of 165, England secured a two-wicket victory, largely due to Harry Brook\u2019s explosive century.<\/p>\n Following the loss, many critics pointed to key decisions and performances within the Pakistan camp. Former cricketers and analysts openly criticised Babar Azam\u2019s sluggish batting, Shadab Khan\u2019s ineffective all-round display, and the controversial exclusion of Abrar Ahmed from the playing XI.<\/p>\n Shadab Khan, playing as an all-rounder, came under fire for leaking runs during the middle overs \u2014 a crucial phase when Pakistan needed to apply pressure. Critics argued that his inability to control the scoring rate allowed Brook to settle and dominate.<\/p>\n Analysts also highlighted Shadab Khan\u2019s inconsistent recent form, noting that his leg-spin has lacked effectiveness on turning tracks such as Pallekele.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n