Pietersen 'gutted' over Shehzad’s exclusion

South African-born says how Pakistani opener doesn't get selected is beyond him

Ahmed Shehzad’s Quetta Gladiators teammate Kevin Pitersen feels gutted that the Pakistani opener has been left out of the 35-man list for the training camp before the England tour in July.

The South African-born took to Twitter on Tuesday to express his feelings about Shehzad's exclusion. Pietersen called the 23-year-old a 'standout batter' and claimed, 'How he doesn't get selected is beyond me!'

https://twitter.com/KP24/status/727387436679049216

England tour: Shehzad, Umar Akmal dropped over disciplinary issues

Shehzad was humbled by Pietersen’s tweet, saying it was an 'honour for me that the player like u [Pietersen] is worried about my future'.

Honour for me tht the player like u is worried about my future!! 😇 https://t.co/igYQ51oW91

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) May 3, 2016

Moreover, Kiwi all-rounder Grant Elliott, another one of Shehzad's Quetta teammate, was 'surprised' at his exclusion.

Surprised at the exclusion of @iamAhmadshahzad from the UK tour.Great team man and had a standout PSL,WC and recent domestic competition

— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) May 3, 2016

However, Shehzad once again didn't comment on selection committee's decision and instead resorted to asking about Elliott's absence from the Indian Premier League.

Hey h r u old friend !! Good to hear from u ✌️ !! I thought u ll b playing ipl? https://t.co/9HKyQrz9sy

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) May 3, 2016

Shehzad, along with Umar Akmal, was axed on disciplinary grounds by the newly elected national selection committee led by former Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq on Monday.

“Shehzad and Umar don’t have enough performances and lack discipline,” said Inzamam. “Wherever there will be a disciplinary problem, we will take a step. And you should expect this selection committee to be a little stern on discipline.”

The Wright idea: Luke tells Shehzad to keep his chin up

Meanwhile, former T20 captain Shahid Afridi was also excluded from the list.

“Pakistan will play only six T20Is in the coming 14 months; so, we are thinking of trying new players. Meanwhile, Afridi will also take some rest and if he performs after that, the doors of selection are always open,” said Inzamam.

The training camp for the England tour will begin on May 14 and go on till June 4 ahead of the tour which starts in July.

Inzamam further said the training camp would be followed by a 10 to 15 day break. The players will then participate in a skill camp which will take place two weeks before the tour to England where Pakistan will play the first Test match on June 14.

Here is the list of the 35 players:

Opening batsmen: Muhammad Hafeez*, Sami Aslam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azhar Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Khurram Manzoor, Shan Masood

Middle order batsmen: Younus Khan, Misbahul Haq, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Harris Sohail*, Khalid Latif, Fawad Alam, Akbarur Rahman, Asif Zakir

All-rounders: Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti

Fast-bowlers: Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali*, Imran Khan, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali

Wicketkeepers: Sarfraz Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, Adnan Akmal

Spinners: Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Muhammad Ashgar, Imad Wasim*, Bilal Asif, Zohaib Khan

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*Subject to Fitness

Here is Inzamam’s complete press conference:

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