Former Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Hafeez accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of being ‘greedy’. He blamed the PCB is “making deals” with players such as Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim to put them on the roster for the T20 World Cup 2024.
After Pakistan’s six-run loss to India in Group A on Sunday, Hafeez stated that players like Amir and Wasim seldom play in the local match. But now they are selected for large competitions over cricketers who perform regularly.
Hafeez Criticizes Amir and Imad’s Performances
Mohammad Hafeez even said that players like Amir and Wasim’s primary interest is to play in franchise leagues throughout the world. And that they only play for the national team when there are no such contests.
“They (PCB) hired them here out of selfishness, making agreements with players like Amir and Wasim, who have ruined Pakistani cricket. I was on the domestic circuit, but no one wanted to play domestic cricket. It’s because they told me that if any of us are chosen, we’ll accept it,” Hafeez explained.
“When invited to play for Pakistan six months ago, they stated their desire to compete in franchise leagues throughout the world. Since there are no leagues these days, they are competing in the World Cup. They’re playing in the World Cup like it’s just another league,” he said.
Amir resigned from international cricket in 2020. Plus, Wasim left the sport in 2023. However, both players have opted to make a comeback in 2024.
Problems in the Recent Matches
Coming into the match, Pakistan swept out India for just 119. But a dismal performance by the batsmen meant that the Babar Azam-led side fell short of the mark.
“We bowled well. Throughout the batting, we lost consecutive wickets and had too many dot balls. Our plan was straightforward to play in regular situations. Simply strike rotation and the odd border. However, at the time, we had much too many dot balls.” Mohammad Hafeez highlighted the areas of improvement.
“However, we were one wicket down and failed to meet expectations in the opening six overs. The pitch appeared to be in good condition. The ball was coming up beautifully,”
“It was a tad sluggish, and some of the balls had additional bounce. Must win the remaining two matches. Will get down and talk about our faults, but I’m looking forward to the remaining two matches.” he concluded.
A Tough Road Ahead for Pakistan
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With only two matches remaining, here’s how Pakistan may qualify for the T20 World Cup Super 8 round:
First and foremost, Hafeez’s team must win decisively against Canada and Ireland. Furthermore, India must win both of their remaining matches. And Ireland must defeat the United States.
If all five results follow this pattern, Pakistan will have four points from four matches. While India will have eight points. The United States and Pakistan will end their group-stage campaigns with an identical number of points. But Canada and Ireland will each have two.
In this case, India would qualify straight for the Super Eight. Still, Pakistan and the United States would each receive four points. This indicates that the Net Run Rate will be the decisive factor. Pakistan must focus its game, they should pay attention to what it can control while leaving the rest to chance.
About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer whose love for cricket shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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