Shahbaz Ahamad Lands In Hot Waters With CAB; Likely To Lose His Place In Bengal Ranji Team: Report

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Shahbaz Ahamad is on the verge of losing his place in the Bengal Ranji Team as the all-rounder is not taking any calls from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), reported Sportskeeda. CAB officials are in the dark of his whereabouts while the cricketer is undergoing rehab in CA Bengaluru.

The report further added that none of the CAB president Snehasish Ganguly, coaching staff, or teammates are sure where Shahbaz Ahamad is at the moment. The 29-year-old Bengal cricketer suffered a lateral meniscus tear during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December.

Shahbaz scored 100 runs off 118 balls in that game before taking 1/25 in Bengal's defeat to Haryana in the quarterfinals. He left for the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to treat his injury. CAB chief Snehasish is reported furious with the all-rounder as Shahbaz Ahamad didn't turn up for the Bengal team while the Ranji Trophy is underway.

The MIA status of Shahbaz has raised suspicions in the CAB hallways. The NCA's findings didn't sit well with CAB either, and the state association felt compelled to write to them. The president of CAB believes Shahbaz Ahamad is taking longer than expected to recuperate from a meniscus tear, which typically takes six to eight weeks without surgery.

"I don't know what's up with him (Shahbaz Ahamad)," Snehasish Ganguly exclusively told Sportskeeda. "I had called him but he didn't respond. I have also written back to NCA with some queries against its report.

"We are also cricketers and we know what injury takes how much time to heal. Shahbaz is what he is because of Bengal and he should also be there when Bengal need him."

Bengal assistant coach Sourasish Lahiri has criticised Shahbaz Ahmad for not taking anyone else's call as well and was unable to understand his behaviour. Shahbaz Ahamad was traded from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2024.