Beware! Taking Mohammad Hafeez to the World Cup could be a disaster!

[MenInG]

Its great that his action has been absolved of all suspicions - however, we know that he will sooner or later go back to his old ways.

What if that happens during the World Cup?

Can Pakistan risk him in the Cup? Does he have enough in him to play as a batsman alone?

 

[Slim]

He can be a good squad player. Was vital in our victory in the CT final.

 

[badsha001]

If Narine can chuck, Hafeez can chuck on selective deliveries as well...

 

[MenInG]

Its great that his action has been absolved of all suspicions - however, we know that he will sooner or later go back to his old ways.

What if that happens during the World Cup?

Can Pakistan risk him in the Cup? Does he have enough in him to play as a batsman alone?

Can we construct the squad based upon Hafeez being unable to bowl in the middle of the tournament?

 

[Adijazz1706]

Can we construct the squad based upon Hafeez being unable to bowl in the middle of the tournament?

We can keep him in the squad as cover

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

My respect for Arthur , Sarfraz and Inzi will become double if they can drop Hafeez from odis.. But living in and dealing with Pakistanis and knowing how things work It will be a huge surprise. Already some media lobbies, ex-cricketers and analysts are calling for his return.. Its difficult to touch seniors in Pakistan otherwise ap ki apni kher nai..

If him and Malik have any respect, they should retire for the betterment of Pakistan cricket..

 

[PakSarZameen]

When you get called out for chucking you can continue bowling for two weeks, so that's not an issue.

 

[MenInG]

When you get called out for chucking you can continue bowling for two weeks, so that's not an issue.

you cannot unsettle the squad in a key tournament like this.

 

[Plumb]

Hafeez will not be part of WC2019 that's for sure. The way Mickey managed the team so far, all I can say

is he is a smart man and he must have done his calculations on every player. Hafeez is not part of his

plans even with his bowling action cleared. Hafeez bowling is not the same as he was doing before called

for chucking for the second time.

 

[ads101]

Think Hafeez's recall depends on Fahim. Fahim isn't currently cutting it, and needs to improve quick. Hafeez as an option if he can bowl 10 overs will be picked over Fahim (as has never been trusted to bowl 10 overs), and will most likely to be thought to average more than 18. Even worse that Fahim is batting at 8, he isn't trusted with the bat much either.

Imad and Nawaz might push for the position too, but Imad's had injury, fitness issues and looked worse recently. Nawaz hasn't been a regular nor really had a standout performance yet.

Pakistan has the fascination of picking an allrounder, but personally I wouldn't pick one. I'd only pick one if he's good enough. Make the rest up with part timers, we have Malik, Talat, Haris, Fakhar to bowl. Malik especially should be focusing on his bowling if he's in the team, no reason why he can't be around as effective as post ban Hafeez, he did afterall start off as a bowler. Get a good batsman at 7, and play Fahim at 8 if he can bowl 10 good overs. Try to make this a strong batting line up. Bowlers can't do anything if our batting is weak, will help more than the extra bowler.

 

[Zain]

When you get called out for chucking you can continue bowling for two weeks, so that's not an issue.

That is why i would take him and bowl him sparingly until you get to the crunch games, plenty of other chuckers in world cricket not being called out.

 

[Zain]

I can also see hafeez being a good batting option coming in at 5 as he did in champions trophy final, once the zip of the new ball has gone hafeez can play well and the chances of him playing a good knock go up, so its not only his bowling.

 

[Hasan123]

This cheat should have been booted out long ago. It will be a disgrace if he's allowed to play at the 2019 WC.

 

[fluke]

no let him play in world cup and coming LOI's, he can be very very handy at number 6 and can bowl 5 to 7 overs as well.

I believe if he will get last 5 to 7 overs to play, he can be very useful for pakistan.

 

[Kroll]

Doubt he'll be going unless he can get his connections to lobby hard enough. The guy is no world beater and now getting on a bit so won't be missed.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Its great that his action has been absolved of all suspicions - however, we know that he will sooner or later go back to his old ways.

What if that happens during the World Cup?

Can Pakistan risk him in the Cup? Does he have enough in him to play as a batsman alone?

Only one of Hafeez and Malik should go to England in 2019

 

[TeamPak95]

If we need "experience" in the WC squad, then it can only be Malik. As a batsman, in recent times, he's a much more productive run scorer than Prof. Bowling wise, obviously Hafeez is better but it's not like Malik can't bowl a couple of decent overs during the innings. Again, it's only if the selection committee have the other-worldly idea of deciding on the need of GOAT-level experience for the WC that they should only pick Malik.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Only one of Hafeez and Malik should go to England in 2019

None of them should go, malik didnt do anything in CT.. Just good in Asia.. Better to invest in younger players like Talat and Harry.

 

[world cup captain]

I doubt he will make it to the WC squad. When he fails against England in the series before the WC, Mickey will make sure Hafeez gets the boot. Also, Hafeez will now be competing with Talat who has Mickey's backing.

 

[CricFan2012]

It will be better for cricket if he doesn't chuck in any more matches.

If he plays in the World Cup and we manage to win due to his chucking it will forever be marred in controversy and disgrace.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Isko bolo abhi bowling nahi karaye, WC mein 90 degree ke angle se batta maare baad mein bhalle ban hojaye

 

[MMHS]

I have a multiple choice question for posters - multiple answers are allowed.
Q. What is going to happen in 2019 WC?

A. Only MoHa going to WC, Mickey sacked
B. Mickey going to WC & he makes sure MoHa is dropped
C. Both Mickey & MoHa going to WC
D. PAK pulling out of WC for ICC calling MoHa for chucking just before WC

As multiple answers are allowed, my choice is A, C & D.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I have a multiple choice question for posters - multiple answers are allowed.
Q. What is going to happen in 2019 WC?

A. Only MoHa going to WC, Mickey sacked
B. Mickey going to WC & he makes sure MoHa is dropped
C. Both Mickey & MoHa going to WC
D. PAK pulling out of WC for ICC calling MoHa for chucking just before WC

As multiple answers are allowed, my choice is A, C & D.

C is most likely. Mickey might be ok with playing Hafeez if he can bowl and retire after the WC.

 

[Asch Ali]

Hafeez can play so many positions is UNBELIEVEABLE!! He can bat at numbers 1-8 no problem!! Ideally he’s the slogger we need at 6 and 7.

I just HOPE for a guard of honor for him and Shoaib Malik when he hopes to retire. How AMAZING will the moment??

 

[Justcrazy]

He is pure wastage of a spot. He is already 40 .

 

[Mueez]

Hafeez can play so many positions is UNBELIEVEABLE!! He can bat at numbers 1-8 no problem!! Ideally he’s the slogger we need at 6 and 7.

I just HOPE for a guard of honor for him and Shoaib Malik when he hopes to retire. How AMAZING will the moment??

Bhai are you kidding me. He's one of the reasons why our batting is slow ( though it's improving now imo)
Hafeez and Malik best chance to retire with dignity was after the CT 2017 final.

 

[MenInG]

I am so glad we have Mickey around. Watch for the clamour to get him in the team from some of our expert journos

 

[pakistan cricket fan]

C is most likely. Mickey might be ok with playing Hafeez if he can bowl and retire after the WC.

I hope B but it is going to be C

 

[waleed88]

Can we construct the squad based upon Hafeez being unable to bowl in the middle of the tournament?

Average equal to Babar Azam for the last year in ODIs.. However we can't afford another accumulator in the lineup. Hafeez had his swansong in the CT 2017 final. Its time to retire in peace. His action isn't reliable either he is a serial offender.

 

[giri26]

I think since Mickey says Hafeez will be considered if he were able to bowl again, I expect prof to come back in to the Pakistan side.

 

[Abid Z]

Its great that his action has been absolved of all suspicions - however, we know that he will sooner or later go back to his old ways.

What if that happens during the World Cup?

Can Pakistan risk him in the Cup? Does he have enough in him to play as a batsman alone?

We don’t know if he will chuck again. I believe he is only marginally over the limit. 0.6!

We don’t have another off spinner in Pakistan period. So until one comes along especially one handy with the bat then hafeez will always be in contention.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Man Hafeez is like a 80s movie villain. Keeps on coming back

Enough is enough.

When will the torture end

 

[Amjid Javed]

Its great that his action has been absolved of all suspicions - however, we know that he will sooner or later go back to his old ways.

What if that happens during the World Cup?

Can Pakistan risk him in the Cup? Does he have enough in him to play as a batsman alone?

Should have been dumped as a player 10 years ago

Also hes never been good enough as a batsmen alone, time to move on!

 

[ask_analyse_act]

We can keep him in the squad as cover

not possible... if he is in the squad, will be in the playing 11 upon seniority.

 

[MMHS]

Average equal to Babar Azam for the last year in ODIs.. However we can't afford another accumulator in the lineup. Hafeez had his swansong in the CT 2017 final. Its time to retire in peace. His action isn't reliable either he is a serial offender.

Not true, and I am sure you know that, but taking chance here, thinking people won't check back because for short memory span - everyone is stuck with last NZ series. I won't have exposed you here, but there was absolutely no reason to bring Babar here. Even for a similar stats, it's laughable to compare a 23 years old with a 38 years old, that too for a WC, 12 months later. AND, to do so for someone like Hafeez, just to make Babar look bad isn't a good taste.

To keep the record straight, since Jan 01, 2017 (PAK last played ODI in Jan 2018, so 1 year starts from Jan 2017), both has played 23 ODI, 22 innings and here are the stats -

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...7;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...7;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

 

[Nasty Naz]

If he can continue to bowl well, there's a good case to keep him on the squad as he is so economical and good vs lefties. Pakistan 2nd opener are a bunch of question marks anyways and not that good, to be honest.

Fakhar
Hafeez
Babar
Haris
Talat
Sarfraz
Faheem/Imad (depending on conditions)
Shadab
Hasan
Amir
Junaid/Usman

Could possibly even switch Hafeez and Talat in the batting order. It's only for his off spin bowling for which I would prefer him because it gives Sarfraz so many options to attack with whether that's fast or spin bowlers. And that incredible bowling with so many variety options was the reason why Pakistan won CT.

 

[batfirst]

I would rather have Hafez over Malik in the odi and T20 squad.
Hafeez scored 2 half centuries against New Zealand and Malik
had 4 chances but failed to score even a half century.

Hafeez is also a better bowler than Malik. Overall both are bit & pieces
players but I would rather have Hafeez.

 

[waleed88]

Not true, and I am sure you know that, but taking chance here, thinking people won't check back because for short memory span - everyone is stuck with last NZ series. I won't have exposed you here, but there was absolutely no reason to bring Babar here. Even for a similar stats, it's laughable to compare a 23 years old with a 38 years old, that too for a WC, 12 months later. AND, to do so for someone like Hafeez, just to make Babar look bad isn't a good taste.

To keep the record straight, since Jan 01, 2017 (PAK last played ODI in Jan 2018, so 1 year starts from Jan 2017), both has played 23 ODI, 22 innings and here are the stats -

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...7;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...7;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

My Bad.... I apologize for the wrong stats..

My statement was a little ignorant,

What I was referring to was their form away from home... which is the yardstick I like to bash Babar by..

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...7;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/guru?...aynight=0;scheduleddays=0;.cgifields=viewtype

Almost the same stats, with Hafeez performing much better in key moments... not to mention Hafeez adding value as an allrounder.

I also admitted that Hafeez's time is to go now...

 

[waleed88]

Away form is also relevant in this case here, because we know Babar enjoys home conditions but is a dud away from home in England.. which is where the World cup will take place [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

 

[waleed88]

Also me being ignorant led to another mistake

My criteria was from April 2017 to April 2018 - [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/guru?...ary;enddefault=2018-01-19;.cgifields=viewtype


Babar Azam for the same time span...

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...7;spanval2=span;template=results;type=batting

I should've added Australia's series to Babar's tally of runs which I didn't and the result was an average of 38.09 starting from the West Indies series...

Yes Babar is a beast at home, sadly the tournament doesn't take place in UAE, nor does it take place against WI and Srilanka only

 

[MMHS]

Away form is also relevant in this case here, because we know Babar enjoys home conditions but is a dud away from home in England.. which is where the World cup will take place [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

Not relevent at all for MoHa's thread - Babar has a stats of 32/80 in ENG; MoHa 28/69 ...

Not to mention that at 23-25, Babar is heading towards the best 10-12 years of his career - normally a batsman's peak is around 29 and 3 to 6 years either side. Babar should be at his prime in next 3 WCs, while MoHa should have been dumped to dustbin after 2015 BD tour, if not CT of 2013 (I would have done that after the choke-scoop at Mohali).

For the sake of saying, WC in ENG actually is not Babar's away ground, rather it's neutral venue, apart from 1 (at most 2) games against Poms. For a record, his neutral stats are mind blowing 75/86. It's blasphemous & insulting for Babar to be mentioned/compared with MoHa in every batting aspect, otherwise I would have said that against that 75/86, this guy stacks up at 33/77 (heavily endorsed by Lanka bashing for sure, at least 35% of his neutral runs - need to check numbers)

Babar has his issues definitely, but let alone PAK, he'll walk into any ODI XI in contemporary cricket including IND, AUS & Poms - MoHa would struggle to make ZIM XI on proper batting merit .... and PCB will take him to WC to bat at 4!!!!!!

 

[waleed88]

Not relevent at all for MoHa's thread - Babar has a stats of 32/80 in ENG; MoHa 28/69 ...

Not to mention that at 23-25, Babar is heading towards the best 10-12 years of his career - normally a batsman's peak is around 29 and 3 to 6 years either side. Babar should be at his prime in next 3 WCs, while MoHa should have been dumped to dustbin after 2015 BD tour, if not CT of 2013 (I would have done that after the choke-scoop at Mohali).

For the sake of saying, WC in ENG actually is not Babar's away ground, rather it's neutral venue, apart from 1 (at most 2) games against Poms. For a record, his neutral stats are mind blowing 75/86. It's blasphemous & insulting for Babar to be mentioned/compared with MoHa in every batting aspect, otherwise I would have said that against that 75/86, this guy stacks up at 33/77 (heavily endorsed by Lanka bashing for sure, at least 35% of his neutral runs - need to check numbers)

Babar has his issues definitely, but let alone PAK, he'll walk into any ODI XI in contemporary cricket including IND, AUS & Poms - MoHa would struggle to make ZIM XI on proper batting merit .... and PCB will take him to WC to bat at 4!!!!!!

Please don't include stats from batsmen batting from another era. England's pitches are not even a fraction of what they were even in the 2000s... Babar is not the player he is made out to be, he will struggle as much as Hafeez considering his stats are similar to what hafeez has managed to do. We are currently in the most batting friendly era of cricketing history with annual averages of top batsmen reaching upto 90s in a year.. and Babar has been nowhere near that.

Even though it might be ground breaking for a Pakistani batsman, it is not for the rest of the world. In case of Hafeez vs Babar debate, Babar hasn't shown he is a batsman who can do it when it matters, or when facing difficult conditions.

Pretty much what Hafeez was known for throughout his career

 

[MMHS]

Also me being ignorant led to another mistake

My criteria was from April 2017 to April 2018 - [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION]

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/guru?...ary;enddefault=2018-01-19;.cgifields=viewtype


Babar Azam for the same time span...

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...7;spanval2=span;template=results;type=batting

I should've added Australia's series to Babar's tally of runs which I didn't and the result was an average of 38.09 starting from the West Indies series...

Yes Babar is a beast at home, sadly the tournament doesn't take place in UAE, nor does it take place against WI and Srilanka only

I am not sure which data to look at - may be next time you'll pick the CT final only, because that's perfectly fits the bill.

All the stats that you are show in manipulative and doesn't indicate any clue. For a small set of data, Babar had his worst tour in career in NZ, and MoHa had one of his best (probably best, if you take out Mughabe's ZIM) - still, it's neck a neck - so, I guess you need not to try harder.

Deal, Babar somewhere else - this is about MoHa the specialist batsman, who'll be called if he is to bowl in 9 WC games (or he'll cost PAK with his pies - not sure which is more embarrassing). Irony is that, the guy now is trying his chances as an all-rounder, but didn't resist batting at 3 in PAK Cup - and, poetic justice is that the day he started bowling, choked his way to scoop for 4, on what was on absolute batting belter against "friendly" bowling.

 

[MMHS]

Please don't include stats from batsmen batting from another era. England's pitches are not even a fraction of what they were even in the 2000s... Babar is not the player he is made out to be, he will struggle as much as Hafeez considering his stats are similar to what hafeez has managed to do. We are currently in the most batting friendly era of cricketing history with annual averages of top batsmen reaching upto 90s in a year.. and Babar has been nowhere near that.

Even though it might be ground breaking for a Pakistani batsman, it is not for the rest of the world. In case of Hafeez vs Babar debate, Babar hasn't shown he is a batsman who can do it when it matters, or when facing difficult conditions.

Pretty much what Hafeez was known for throughout his career

You want me pull out data!!!!!

Even in his hay days of Lanka/ZIM bashing, mostly is UAE (say between 2010 to 2014) - that guy had an stats of 50/85 in UAE/Asia and 25/70 out side - that's 5 years back. Now, he is a Zombi of his own mediocre self - one year later, he'll be 38+ ....... officially!!!!!

You are trying to prove Babar a FTB - fair enough, then telling ENG wickets are flat bed - fair enough again; now telling you know Babar is a dud in away condition, bringing ENG (because overall will be again a problem - it includes AUS & WI as well) - this one isn't fair enough to be honest.

 

[babajee]

You want me pull out data!!!!!

Even in his hay days of Lanka/ZIM bashing, mostly is UAE (say between 2010 to 2014) - that guy had an stats of 50/85 in UAE/Asia and 25/70 out side - that's 5 years back. Now, he is a Zombi of his own mediocre self - one year later, he'll be 38+ ....... officially!!!!!

All this makes me wonder - how did Hafeez score that 57*(37) last June...

 

[MMHS]

All this makes me wonder - how did Hafeez score that 57*(37) last June...

These things happen. First, he was a bit lucky (I think, survived a No ball dismissal or drop catch early in innings, can't recall), but main reason is that he got Indians on mat that day. He came at like 250/3 or so with 11-12 overs left, means IND was actually out of game by then - at worst, PAK could have ended at run a ball 310/9 with that tail. Indian team do know their range - they are extremely clinical batting side & won't lose almost anything chasing that's 50/50; but that day Fakhar took the game out of even 60/40 range by 35th over - Moha just cashed on the spoils.

You are surprised because of expectation - first, none expected PAK to bat like that & post that total; then because of expectation from MoHa, basically a tail-eneder under pressure. I see it other way - put any other decent batting side at same spot (250/3 - 38) against that Indian team on the day, I can bet, almost every time, teams would have ended more than 360, definitely better than 338/4. Don't see the numbers only, it's often deceiving.

 

[pakistani pride]

These things happen. First, he was a bit lucky (I think, survived a No ball dismissal or drop catch early in innings, can't recall), but main reason is that he got Indians on mat that day. He came at like 250/3 or so with 11-12 overs left, means IND was actually out of game by then - at worst, PAK could have ended at run a ball 310/9 with that tail. Indian team do know their range - they are extremely clinical batting side & won't lose almost anything chasing that's 50/50; but that day Fakhar took the game out of even 60/40 range by 35th over - Moha just cashed on the spoils.

You are surprised because of expectation - first, none expected PAK to bat like that & post that total; then because of expectation from MoHa, basically a tail-eneder under pressure. I see it other way - put any other decent batting side at same spot (250/3 - 38) against that Indian team on the day, I can bet, almost every time, teams would have ended more than 360, definitely better than 338/4. Don't see the numbers only, it's often deceiving.

Agree the platform was set fof 360ish total.
Hafeez is a chocker and should never play for pak again.