Terribly lucky are the ones who have their dreams come true as teenagers. You stroll out amid deafening support, making your debut as a youthful 17-year-old ready to show your class against the mighty Australians. The track is flat and you think you're on top of the world.Add in ballyhoo that this very day the master, the great Sachin Tendulkar, was unveiled to the world and you plan a fame-filled journey ahead of you.
But Ahmed Shehzad found himself dumped by his senior partner halfway down the pitch – ironically his captain as he made his first-class debut just over two years ago – floored further by a recent change in the ICC laws. At that point, the Dubai cricket stadium did not seem big enough to contain the reek of disappointment, and realisation that cricket indeed is a cruel, cruel game.
Little would Shehzad have known about the cruelty of the game as he made an impactful entry to first-class cricket, aged only 16. Three 40-plus scores in his first two matches, and the world was his oyster, that too despite his mediocre performances against Indian U-19s in a home Test series.
Following this brief yet successful cameo at first-class level, Shehzad was part of the touring Pakistan U-19 side that played two Youth Test matches against England. Following an innings-and-58-run humiliation in the opening Test, in which Shehzad could only muster a nought and 40, it was time he truly announced his potential. Chasing a tricky 342 in the final innings of the tour, Pakistan needed an anchor. They not only found that, but also a match-winning innings from Shehzad who stroked a majestic 167, off only 260 deliveries, thus ensuring a series-levelling win.
Not looking back since, Shehzad smashed another century against Bangladesh U-19 later that year, but his youth and academy commitments resulted in him being deprived of first-class experience. But as the love-affair rekindled, he ensured authority: scoring almost 600 runs in the latest edition of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for Habib Bank Limited.
Already gone through his share of scandals – a ritual that most Pakistani cricketers have followed at will – Shehzad was determined to let the talent count. Told by the coach of a visiting team that he will 'definitely represent Pakistan no matter how poor his performance was at that point', Shehzad – heavily disappointed by his poor show, remained adamant that the heroics against England would be the turning point of his career.
Not content with the low tier of international cricket, Shehzad soon had his chance against the menacing combination of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel in a tour match as South Africa visited Pakistan. Although he could only score 35 (off 44 balls), it was the six hits to the boundary – four along the ground and two over the rope – that gave him the confidence to climb up the ladder of success.
“It was a great experience,' Shehzad told Cricdb. “It was hard to play against bowlers the calibre of Pollock and Ntini but as I stroked a few boundaries, I felt the confidence inside me and the assurance that I can play at the top level.”
Taking up to international opposition, conforming to his knack of scoring centuries at will, Shehzad eased to 146 against the Sri Lankans in another tour match prior to the ODI series at home. The bowling attack comprised Chaminda Vaas, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof.
Terming Imran Khan and Ricky Ponting as his all-time favourites due to their fighter instincts, Shehzad assures that he has not faced any problems ever since he started playing cricket. However, even that fighting instinct that he seems to have possessed from his idols was not enough to take Pakistan U-19 to a third successive World Cup crown. A disappointing individual show overall – bar the eight wickets he captured in the tournament – was somewhat rectified in the semi-final mauling against South Africa with an aggressive 60.
Failing to live up to the pre-tournament favourites tag, however, is something Shehzad will rue for eternity. And the fact that his father was not able to witness him in Pakistan's colours as he passed away when Shehzad was only eight months old. Shahzad devotes his career-building to his brother Khurrum Shahzad – older brother - who encouraged Shahzad in every part of his life, including cricket
While poor judgement on his senior partner's part may have cost Shehzad an ideal start to his international career, he is sure to get another chance. However, a country that is more cruel than the game itself and one that has banished success to the wilderness, Shehzad will need to ensure he grasps any given opportunity with both hands. Both for his sake and for the nation still mourning the loss of Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail as the last prolific set of openers ever seen in green.
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published on Cricdb Apr 25, 2009.
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