[WATCH] Former Pakistan cricketers in splits after Sahibzada Farhan picks Ahmed Shahzad over Tendulkar, Sehwag

A light-hearted quiz featuring Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan has sparked an unexpected backlash this week, after a viral clip showed him choosing Ahmed Shehzad over legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Saeed Anwar. 

The clip, widely circulated on social media, puts Farhan to play a rapid-fire “this or that” segment where he was asked to pick one player between the two. He repeatedly picked Shehzad as his favourite batter ahead of some of the most iconic names in cricket history. The choice immediately raised eyebrows, especially given the stature of players like Tendulkar and Sehwag in world cricket.

During a discussion, ex-Pakistan player Basit Ali could hardly believe what he heard. With folded hands, Basit pleaded with viewers to stop dwelling on the topic and funnily apologised on behalf of Farhan. 

“This is fake. Hundred per cent fake. Sahibzada Farhan has not gone mad so far that he picks Ahmed Shehzad over Sachin Tendulkar. I plead with you to stop this topic,” said Ali on his YouTube channel ‘The Game Plan’. 

"I promise you all, whenever I meet Sahibzada, I will ask him, 'Were you in your senses that day?' I promise. Whoever asks you a question regarding Sahibzada's pick, tell him that Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal apologise for it, he continued.”

Watch the video here- 

Not just Ali, former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, too, joined in the conversation and apologised in jest. Akmal couldn’t stop laughing at the outrageous comment made by Farhan on the show. 

“We ask for forgiveness for Sahibzada’s mistake,” he said.

Kamran also underlined his disbelief that Farhan would genuinely rate Shehzad above all-time greats like Tendulkar and Sehwag, urging him to have justified reasons if he stood by his answer. 

Even though Shehzad enjoyed a decent international career with Pakistan, the players Sahibzada picked over him are widely considered all-time greats. Hence, his comments were subject to laughter in the cricketing circle. 

The Pakistan opener has been named in the side's provisional squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to start on February 7. He has been a regular feature in Pakistan’s T20I squad, playing 37 matches, while scoring 917 runs at an average of 25.5.