The backlash follows Pakistan's defeat to India in the T20 World Cup. Shehzad, during a TV debate, questioned Shadab's place in the national team, alleging he didn't deserve selection due to poor domestic performance. "You came in through the back door," Shehzad stated, adding that Shadab "didn't even do rehab after getting injured" while criticizing the axing of Hasan Ali from central contracts.
Former players Mohammad Amir and Rashid Latif also weighed in, with Amir expressing disappointment over Shadab's timing during an ongoing tour, and Latif sarcastically commenting on Shadab's "courage" to speak.