Iftikhar Ahmed Bashes Media After His Team Loses The Champions Cup Final

Iftikhar Ahmed was appointed as the captain of Markhors after Mohammad Rizwan vacated the spot due to his selection in the PAK vs ENG 1st test squad. 

Despite playing exceptionally good cricket in the initial stages of the tournament, Markhors couldn’t bring the trophy home. 

The team’s 34-year-old skipper was seen lashing out at the media after the final match concluded. 

Iftikhar Ahmed stated that the media wrongfully overhypes young cricketers based on a single performance and then turns their back on them when they are unable to keep up with their expectations. 

Iftikhar stressed the importance of allowing players to prove themselves in domestic cricket before making international claims.

The Markhors’ captain was visibly agitated after losing the Champions One-Day Cup final against the Panthers. 

He bashed the media during the post-match press conference when asked about the new talent unearthed during the Champions Cup. 

He said, “Media ne kya dekh liya hai (What has the media observed)?" He argued that media hyping up players after one successful domestic performance creates unrealistic expectations and sets the players up for failure at the international stage. 

"I am not against anyone," Iftikhar clarified, "but I tell you, the media, don't hype someone so much after just one innings, like we have found the next big talent. Let them perform in domestic cricket. Let them succeed there for 2-3 seasons, and then we can talk about their prospects for Pakistan."

The 34-year-old all rounder stressed upon the importance of domestic cricket as the real testing ground for all players. 

"After one innings, you lift a player to the top, but when they fail for Pakistan, you ask where they came from, saying they're nothing," Iftikhar said in a pointed remark aimed at the media's inconsistent support.

Iftikhar’s outburst has come at a very crucial time for Pakistan cricket. Chief selector Mohammad Yousuf recently resigned amid criticism following the team's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. There has also been growing criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for overlooking consistent domestic performers.