Afghanistan wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad on Monday alleged that his country's cricket board conspired to throw him out of the World Cup squad even though he was fit enough to carry on in the mega-event. Shahzad had aggravated the injury on his left knee during the World Cup warm-up clash against Pakistan but returned to play the team's first two games against Australia and Sri Lanka on June 1 and June 4 respectively.

However, the organisers announced ahead of the New Zealand game on June 8 that he was ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup due to a "knee injury". "I still don't know why I was ruled unfit when I was fit enough to play. Some people in the board (ACB) have conspired against me. Only manager, doctor and the captain knew that I was going to be replaced. Even the coach (Phil Simmons) found out much later. It was heart-breaking," Shahzad, 32, told PTI from Kabul.