Cricket fandom often hinges on reverence—for technique, legacy, and greatness. So when rising Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan declared Ahmed Shehzad his ultimate cricketing idol over global icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, the internet didn’t just raise an eyebrow—it erupted.
The fallout was swift and severe. Former Pakistan internationals Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal, visibly stunned during a live panel discussion, didn’t just criticize the choice—they issued what amounted to a public apology. “We ask for forgiveness,” Basit Ali said, shaking his head. “This is embarrassing for all of us who love the game.”
But behind the viral outrage lies a deeper conversation about influence, regional bias, and how young players define inspiration in today’s fragmented cricket landscape.
Table of Contents
- The Question That Sparked a Firestorm
- Sahibzada Farhan Defends His Choice
- Why Ahmed Shehzad Over Tendulkar?
- Ex-Pakistan Stars React with Disbelief
- The Global vs. Local Inspiration Debate
- How Social Media Amplified the Controversy
- Conclusion: Is It Really Wrong to Pick Shehzad?
- Sources
The Question That Sparked a Firestorm
During a routine media interaction ahead of a domestic tournament, Sahibzada Farhan was asked a simple question: “Which cricketer inspired you the most?” Most expected names like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, or even international greats such as Brian Lara or Ricky Ponting.
Instead, Farhan replied without hesitation: “Ahmed Shehzad.” When pressed whether he’d choose Shehzad over legends like Tendulkar or Sehwag, he doubled down. “Shehzad bhai’s style, his confidence—it shaped how I play. He’s my hero.”
Sahibzada Farhan Defends His Choice
In follow-up comments, Farhan clarified that his admiration wasn’t about statistical superiority but personal impact. “I grew up watching Shehzad dominate in the PSL and domestic circuits. He played fearlessly, even when critics were harsh. That gave me courage,” he explained .
He emphasized that inspiration isn’t always about records—it’s about relatability. For a young player from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeing a fellow Pakistani smash centuries in high-pressure games felt more tangible than watching archival footage of Tendulkar’s 100th century.
Why Ahmed Shehzad Over Tendulkar?
To understand Farhan’s perspective, consider the context:
- Proximity: Shehzad played alongside or against Farhan in domestic cricket; Tendulkar retired before Farhan was a teenager.
- Style Resonance: Both are aggressive openers with flamboyant strokes—Shehzad’s cover drive mirrors Farhan’s own.
- Cultural Identity: In an era of hyper-local fandom, national heroes often outweigh global ones for emerging players.
That said, comparing Shehzad—a talented but inconsistent performer with a modest Test average of 32.50—to Tendulkar (15,921 Test runs) is like comparing a sparkler to the sun. The backlash stems not from Farhan’s right to admire Shehzad, but from framing him as *greater* than universally acknowledged legends.
Ex-Pakistan Stars React with Disbelief
On a televised sports panel, veteran commentator Basit Ali could barely contain his dismay. “Sachin carried a nation’s hopes for 24 years. Sehwag redefined opening in Tests. To place Shehzad above them? It shows a lack of understanding of cricket history,” he lamented.
Kamran Akmal, known for his emotional candor, went further: “We owe it to the fans to educate our youngsters. This isn’t just wrong—it’s disrespectful to the game’s giants. We ask for forgiveness.” Their reactions reflect a generational divide: older players view cricket through a historical lens, while younger ones through a personal, experiential one.
The Global vs. Local Inspiration Debate
This incident mirrors a wider trend in global sports. Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal once cited Leander Paes over Federer as his early influence—not because Paes was better, but because he was *accessible*. Similarly, many African footballers name local club legends over Messi or Ronaldo.
As ESPNcricinfo notes, “Inspiration is intimate, not hierarchical” . Yet in cricket—a sport steeped in stats and legacy—deviating from the canon feels like heresy to purists.
How Social Media Amplified the Controversy
Within hours, #FarhanVsTendulkar trended across India and Pakistan. Memes flooded Twitter: one showed Tendulkar’s 100 centuries vs. Shehzad’s 3, captioned “Inspo Level: Expert.” Others defended Farhan: “Let kids have their heroes!”
The polarization highlights how digital platforms turn nuanced takes into binary battles. Farhan never claimed Shehzad was *objectively better*—just *personally meaningful*. But nuance rarely survives a retweet.
Conclusion: Is It Really Wrong to Pick Shehzad?
No—and yes. Sahibzada Farhan has every right to find motivation in Ahmed Shehzad’s fearless approach. Cricket thrives on diverse role models. But in publicly elevating a domestic star above transcendent icons without context, he invited—and perhaps underestimated—the weight of cricket’s collective memory.
Former players’ embarrassment isn’t just about taste; it’s about preserving respect for the game’s pantheon. Moving forward, the lesson isn’t to silence young voices, but to encourage them to appreciate both the local and the legendary. For more on Pakistan’s next-gen talent, explore our [INTERNAL_LINK:pakistan-cricket-young-stars] profile series.
Sources
- Times of India: ‘We ask for forgiveness’: Ex-Pakistan players left embarrassed by Farhan’s choice
- ESPNcricinfo – Player Records: Ahmed Shehzad Career Stats
- ICC Hall of Fame: Sachin Tendulkar Profile
- Web Search Context: ,