Allegations against ex-captain land Shehzad in trouble

Lahore—Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been summoned for questioning under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws after a former national team captain lodged a complaint over allegedly defamatory remarks, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Shehzad, who retired from international cricket and now works as a television analyst, is being investigated for comments he made on air and on social media concerning the ex-captain’s role in team selection and the omission of a particular player. After hearing the claims repeated in multiple forums, the former skipper opted to pursue legal action, contending that the statements were unsubstantiated and risked damaging his reputation.

Investigators have asked Shehzad to appear in Lahore to explain his position. Should his explanations be deemed inadequate, authorities say they are prepared to register a formal First Information Report (FIR), a move that could expose the 32-year-old to potential prosecution under the country’s strict digital-content regulations.

Sources close to the complainant stressed that while critique of on-field performance is part of the game, “repetition of unsubstantiated claims can shape public perception even if they are not true,” and argued that the legal step was necessary to draw a line between fair comment and harmful allegation.

The case underscores the growing spotlight on former players who leverage their media roles to comment on current cricket affairs, particularly in an era when clips and quotes circulate rapidly across digital platforms.