• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Pakistan's all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has expressed his dissatisfaction over the publicity that young players get from the media and accused them of handing quick critiques.

The 34-year-old was replying to a question about the emerging talents he believes have arisen from Pakistan’s first domestic contest Champions Cup One-day Cup.

Iftikhar, who captains Markhors, was addressing the media after his team’s loss to the Panthers when he lashed out at a media person's question about the new talent.

ALSO READ: Women's T20 World Cup: Jemimah, Vastrakar Star As India Seal 20-Run Win Over West Indies In Warm-Up Match

Watch the video here:

“Media ne kya dekh liya hai (what has the media observed)? I am not against anyone but don’t hype someone beyond reason after just one inning. Let the youngsters perform consistently in domestic cricket, let them succeed for two or three seasons and then talk about their prospects of representing Pakistan," Iftikhar said as quoted by News 18.

The 34-year-old suggested that players should be permitted to perform unfailingly across every format before consulting their chances of playing international cricket.

ALSO READ: IRE vs SA: Adair Brothers Star As Ireland Claim Historic T20I Victory Against South Africa, Level Series

“Ek innings mei aap upar le ke jaate, fir wahan pe jab woh Pakistan ke liye fail ho jata hai, toh kehte ho ‘yeh kahan se laye ho, yeh toh kuchh bhi nahi hai! Khuda ke vaaste, kisi ko teeno format mai top karne do phir uski baat karo. (You guys hype someone and then if they don’t perform for Pakistan then ask questions why this guy has been selected? For god’s sake, let them perform in all three formats first),” Iftikhar said.

“Media keeps talking about how ‘Pakistan has got another Inzamam (ul-haq). I just want people to respect domestic cricket first, let upcoming players succeed there across formats and then talk about their elevation to international cricket,” he added.

He shifted the focus to the media, criticizing its negative impact on the current state of cricket in Pakistan.

“Aap logo ki wajah se cricket ka sara mahaul kharab ho gaya hai (You guys have ruined cricket in Pakistan). You hype someone beyond reason and then thrash them instantly,” Iftikhar lamented.