"I have been a fighter and am still a fighter, I will fight this scenario" : Mohammad Hafeez

[Abdullah719]

"I have been a fighter and am still a fighter, I will fight this scenario" : Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez at a press conference:

"I would like to thank all the media houses for coming here to my press conference"

"I would like to clear something. Over the past day, or even over a longer period, there is a lot of negative news about me and my career which is floating around in the media which is completely untrue"

"I am not at all angry about anything, I am a part of the Pakistan cricket team and all the Pakistan team stakeholders' decisions are acceptable to me, I am completely with them"

"Any rumours floating around in the media are false, I am completely available for Pakistan cricket, I have been a fighter and am still a fighter, I will fight this scenario"

"I will play in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and give performances. Selection for the international level is not in my hands, I can only deliver performances which I have always done and will keep on doing"

"My wish is to provide further services for Pakistan. I only play for respect and I am hopeful that in future I can keep providing my services for Pakistan cricket. I want to play a role for Pakistan's respect"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks to all ex cricketers & well wishers of Pakistan cricket to give me strength in tough time , <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RESPECT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RESPECT</a> , I m a FIGHTER & wil keep fighting ����, GOOD LUCK to team Pakistan in ASIA CUP 2018 , make us proud ���� , Pakistan Zindabad ����</p>— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHafeez22/status/1037316319559987200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[SarfiBabarHaris]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks to all ex cricketers & well wishers of Pakistan cricket to give me strength in tough time , <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RESPECT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RESPECT</a> , I m a FIGHTER & wil keep fighting ����, GOOD LUCK to team Pakistan in ASIA CUP 2018 , make us proud ���� , Pakistan Zindabad ����</p>— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHafeez22/status/1037316319559987200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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yani retire nai hua ??

 

[Hamza_]

Hafeez knows how to troll

 

[Abdullah719]

yani retire nai hua ??

No.

 

[MoJoJoJo]

This guy should learn from cook.

 

[gazza619]

Didnt need to respond

 

[Arham_PakFan]

No.

What a shame.

 

[DRsohail]

He is a fighter lolzzzzz

 

[The Googly]

I suspect the rumours were true but he has backtracked.

Anyway - too late Hafeez. The ship has sailed for you.

 

[Pete Rose]

In the 'normal' context of Pakistan cricket, this was a good thing that Hafeez did.

 

[Ummii]

Ye nahi jane wala Worldcup se phle

 

[The_Odd_One]

He’s so full of himself!

 

[Hasan123]

Just retire please.

 

[babajee]

A fired up Professor could be the key weapon at the World Cup

 

[TeamPak95]

A fired up Professor could be the key weapon at the World Cup

Scored a clutch fifty in the CT final, he's probably looking forward to up the ante and score a hundred if Pak make the final next year. But until then, assuming he makes the squad, mediocrity awaits

 

[moghul]

This guy should learn from cook.

Yes, but unfortunately he belongs to Misbah school of retirement.

 

[moghul]

Professor, go get a teaching job or something, leave our cricket alone, please.

 

[Saj]

Seems like a change of heart today from Prof.

Looked like the retirement plans were changed at the last minute.

 

[iniqbal223]

I would like to thank Inzi, Mickey, Sarfaraz and even PCB for adopting accountability for our great great mediocre seniors. I feel this is an end for Hafeez. As quoted in media he denied playing the 5th ODI against Zimbabwe. If media king Afridi can be rightly dropped in 2016, then Hafeez is nothing in front of Afridi.

We needed strong people such as Inzi, Mickey,etc. If we were had, some IQs, SJs, AQs, and 1 test wonders as selectors, we would have become one of the best recycle industry in cricket.

Last 2 years have been great for Pak cricket, they have taken all the steps forward. Thanks India for beating us in WT20 in 2016. Had it been other way round, we would still be seeing, Akmals, Afridi, Shehzad, Hafeez, Tanvir, Irfan, and many others.

 

[j_kazmi]

So he was originally going to retire but cancelled that press conference, then organised another press conference to say that he’s not retiring

 

[j_kazmi]

Seems like a change of heart today from Prof.

Looked like the retirement plans were changed at the last minute.

I don’t know if you have any insider knowledge on this but was he intending to announce his retirement in the original press conference?

And if so did the PCB convince him not to retire or was it something else?

 

[Suleiman]

Fighting is another facet Professor Utonium here is blessed in.

 

[anonymous_guy]

Ye nahi jane wala Worldcup se phle

Yup! Not before 2023 world cup, where he would be dropped and then after 2/3 years he would ask for a farewell match so that he, being a senior can retire gracefully.

 

[MenInG]

What was the reason for this press conference other than to tell us he is doing what every player is supposed to do!

 

[MMHS]

What was the reason for this press conference other than to tell us he is doing what every player is supposed to do!

Keeping his name afloat, so that he isn't lost from memory. I am sure as long time PP administrator, you have seen many old threads suddenly popping up to seek some attention....

He is doing a great job to serve his purpose - if PAK fails to win Asia Cup, he might be back in squad; if fails to make the Final, he might start against AUS/NZ, if fails to make the 1st cut ........

 

[Saj]

What was the reason for this press conference other than to tell us he is doing what every player is supposed to do!

As a contracted player, why did the PCB even allow him to hold this press conference.

 

[Saj]

I don’t know if you have any insider knowledge on this but was he intending to announce his retirement in the original press conference?

And if so did the PCB convince him not to retire or was it something else?

What I have heard is that he had a letter of retirement ready and he was going to announce his international retirement today.

However after discussing this with some of his coaches and media friends he changed his mind.

I asked him today for clarification, but he has not responded.

 

[DRsohail]

Please retire

 

[Mirpur express]

Too many mediocre innings in between decent ones over all inconsistent , would’ve been a beast @ no 6 but the ego *.. should really have retried after that memorable innings in CT17 final

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

As a contracted player, why did the PCB even allow him to hold this press conference.

Because he belongs to a race of infallible super humans called “seniors”

 

[PakPremi]

He cannot bat or bowl worse then Nawaz - why not give him role at 6?
I am sure he would accept that rather than no place in the team.

 

[ExplicitAI]

From what I've realised I think his fielding has gotten a little worser I've seen him drop a few catches as of lately but his batting hasn't deteriorated whereas his bowling isn't as legendary as compared to 2011-2013 where he would concede around 20 odd runs from 10 overs. Then again we can use some of his overs to bowl out 50 overs completely as part of our bowling strategy but the main aim of cricket is to win games, once you've won a game then that's it. Wouldn't mind rotating him between games but if his form has deserted him then we must move on from him.

 

[Pakpak]

From what I've realised I think his fielding has gotten a little worser I've seen him drop a few catches as of lately but his batting hasn't deteriorated whereas his bowling isn't as legendary as compared to 2011-2013 where he would concede around 20 odd runs from 10 overs. Then again we can use some of his overs to bowl out 50 overs completely as part of our bowling strategy but the main aim of cricket is to win games, once you've won a game then that's it. Wouldn't mind rotating him between games but if his form has deserted him then we must move on from him.

Those stats are because he chucked.

 

[Major]

Those stats are because he chucked.

no he did not chuck according to the rules that he was playing under back then

 

[ExplicitAI]

Those stats are because he chucked.

That's true but he's not as bad as Ajmal 2.0, somewhat decent against left-handers and can bowl us some crucial overs.

 

[Zeeraq]

Mohammad Hafeez scored 82 of 80 balls today in Quaid-e-Azam One Day Cup today. Is he looking to make yet another comeback?

 

[Zeeraq]

Mohammad Hafeez took 4 for 20 today, looking for that all rounder spot.

 

[shaaik]

Hafeez seems to be working on his bowling overtime after his exclusion from the Asia cup squad

He has taken a 6fer to help his team SNGPL to over FATA by an innings and 52 runs in QAE Trophy.

ABBOTTABAD CRICKET STADIUM, ABBOTTABAD

SNGPL (First innings) 461-8 dec in 117 overs(Iftikhar Ahmed 145, 175 balls, 19x4s, 1x6, Imran Butt 111, 245 balls, 14x4s, 1x6, Adnan Akmal 53, 86 balls, 9x4s, Asad Shafiq 52, 102 balls, 8x4s, Naeem-ud-din 22, 34 balls, 4x4s, Adnan Ghaus 4-113)

FATA Region (First innings) 266 all out in 102 overs(Samiullah Jr. 104*, 243 balls, 13x4s, Muhammad Naeem 61, 81 balls, 12x4s, Abdul Aziz 25, 88 balls, 5x4s, Rahat Ali 5-78, Muhammad Rizwan 2-10, Asad Ali 2-66)

After fellow-on (2nd innings) 143 all out in 50 overs(Muhammad Sarwar 29*, 75 balls, 2x4s, 2x6s,Samiullah Jr. 24, 69 balls, 3x4s, Muhammad Hafeez 6-62)

Result: SNGPL won by an innings & 52 runs

 

[Abdullah719]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RbUphjIxtEk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Video is blank from 0:08 to 0:40 but besides that you get to see Hafeez at the peak of his powers.

Edit: Oops. Nevermind. Most of the video is blank. Brainfade by PCB's designated video-editor, apparently.

 

[Pete Rose]

Hafeez seems to be working on his bowling overtime after his exclusion from the Asia cup squad

He has taken a 6fer to help his team SNGPL to over FATA by an innings and 52 runs in QAE Trophy.

ABBOTTABAD CRICKET STADIUM, ABBOTTABAD

SNGPL (First innings) 461-8 dec in 117 overs(Iftikhar Ahmed 145, 175 balls, 19x4s, 1x6, Imran Butt 111, 245 balls, 14x4s, 1x6, Adnan Akmal 53, 86 balls, 9x4s, Asad Shafiq 52, 102 balls, 8x4s, Naeem-ud-din 22, 34 balls, 4x4s, Adnan Ghaus 4-113)

FATA Region (First innings) 266 all out in 102 overs(Samiullah Jr. 104*, 243 balls, 13x4s, Muhammad Naeem 61, 81 balls, 12x4s, Abdul Aziz 25, 88 balls, 5x4s, Rahat Ali 5-78, Muhammad Rizwan 2-10, Asad Ali 2-66)

After fellow-on (2nd innings) 143 all out in 50 overs(Muhammad Sarwar 29*, 75 balls, 2x4s, 2x6s,Samiullah Jr. 24, 69 balls, 3x4s, Muhammad Hafeez 6-62)

Result: SNGPL won by an innings & 52 runs

domestic umpires need to show a bit more courage

 

[mak36]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RbUphjIxtEk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Video is blank from 0:08 to 0:40 but besides that you get to see Hafeez at the peak of his powers.

Edit: Oops. Nevermind. Most of the video is blank. Brainfade by PCB's designated video-editor, apparently.

He was saving our eyes from filth.

 

[giri26]

I think there comes a point in your career when you should be able to read the writing on the wall. It seems like the subcontinent players never learn that. They have to be pushed away most of the times. Mohammad Hafeez has had a decent career for Pakistan and now needs to step away and let the young players take the limelight.

 

[Abdullah719]

* DIAMOND CLUB GROUND, ISLAMABAD

Islamabad Region (first innings) 108-9 (Zohaib Ahmed Retired hurt) in 36 overs: (Muhammad Nadeem 36, 33 balls, 3x4s, 1x6, Aziz Ullah 4-36, Rahat Ali 3-37)

SNGPL (first innings) 196-3 in 48 overs: (Muhammad Hafeez 63, 67 balls, 8x4s, Asad Shafiq 38*, 69 balls, 4x4s, Imran Butt 32, 77 balls, 3x4s, Naeem-ud-Din 30, 57 balls, 4x4s, Iftikhar Ahmed 20*, 22 balls 1x4)

 

[Haroon786]

* DIAMOND CLUB GROUND, ISLAMABAD

Islamabad Region (first innings) 108-9 (Zohaib Ahmed Retired hurt) in 36 overs: (Muhammad Nadeem 36, 33 balls, 3x4s, 1x6, Aziz Ullah 4-36, Rahat Ali 3-37)

SNGPL (first innings) 196-3 in 48 overs: (Muhammad Hafeez 63, 67 balls, 8x4s, Asad Shafiq 38*, 69 balls, 4x4s, Imran Butt 32, 77 balls, 3x4s, Naeem-ud-Din 30, 57 balls, 4x4s, Iftikhar Ahmed 20*, 22 balls 1x4)

Can't be far from a call up now? Hafeez really batting like he's blessed.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I think there comes a point in your career when you should be able to read the writing on the wall. It seems like the subcontinent players never learn that. They have to be pushed away most of the times. Mohammad Hafeez has had a decent career for Pakistan and now needs to step away and let the young players take the limelight.

You are right. It is mainly the problem with Indian and Pakistani players. It's hard for them to accept that they are no longer needed.

 

[DeadBall]

What scenario is he actually fighting? Of being a repeat offender, cheater, fisherman overall the most mediocre player who was bless in all facets of the game to represent his country for so long? Maybe the real gist of it got lost in the translation.

 

[Abdullah719]

Can't be far from a call up now? Hafeez really batting like he's blessed.

There's a startling amount of lobbying in the media.

One particularly hilarious point of view was that Hafeez is needed for the Tests in South Africa.

 

[Haroon786]

There's a startling amount of lobbying in the media.

One particularly hilarious point of view was that Hafeez is needed for the Tests in South Africa.

What was the basis of that specific argument?

 

[Abdullah719]

What was the basis of that specific argument?

Experience needed in Tests.

 

[Haroon786]

Experience needed in Tests.

Will be interesting if he gets picked and has to face Steyn in SA, experience may definitely play a part then.

 

[mak36]

There's a startling amount of lobbying in the media.

One particularly hilarious point of view was that Hafeez is needed for the Tests in South Africa.

Who else is going to see off Steyn?

The worrying thing is the media lobbying/discussion completely ignores any stats etc.

In spite of all the cricketing shows in Pakistan, there's a real lack of quality cricketing content..

 

[mak36]

The other funny thing is they never say who should make way for Hafeez, because they know they would be laughed out of the door.

Instead they just repeat how he should be in the team and hope that works.

 

[MenInG]

so anyone missing Mohammad Hafeez

 

[King-Misbah]

so anyone missing Mohammad Hafeez

Yes Hafeez at no 6 could play a great role in PAK ODI team like he did in CT final. He can play spin, pace and accelerate at will. Pakistan needs stability in its line up but Pakistan supporters dont understand this.

 

[Usman Chadda]

No. One bad game and the knives are out. Sarfraz and Imam should be given a talking to for the irresponsible malarky they did out there today.

 

[adzzy786]

Yes Hafeez at no 6 could play a great role in PAK ODI team like he did in CT final. He can play spin, pace and accelerate at will. Pakistan needs stability in its line up but Pakistan supporters dont understand this.

Agreed. We don’t appreciate him

 

[Abdullah719]

Double-hundred today in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

 

[Zeeraq]

Muhammad Hafeez scored 213 runs of 327 balls.

 

[Hawkeye]

Badly need him in the world cup team.

He's one of the few batsmen who actually enjoy pacy wickets where fast bowling comes on to the bat nicely and he times it so well.

Opposite of Shoaib Malik who is a dud against pacers and like always will be useless in England.

 

[Asif321]

Hafeez must be laughing and is biggest slap on Micky for showing we are fit nation no compromise
Same for Inzi. Both have got slapped badly here

 

[Savak]

Hafeez must be laughing and is biggest slap on Micky for showing we are fit nation no compromise
Same for Inzi. Both have got slapped badly here

Inzi apparently wanted to select Hafeez and a few spinners but was over ruled by Mickey Arthur.

 

[happydavy]

Mickey would have to eat his words and welcome back Hafeez in the team with folded hands..

 

[MenInG]

Not in the Test squad vs Australia - will we see a reaction from him?

 

[Hawkeye]

Hafeez is not needed in Tests. And should not play.

In LOis one of the most utility players.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/MHafeez22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MHafeez22</a> Scored 213 Runs against Peshawar Region at Faisalabad Cricket Stadium. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QEA18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QEA18</a> <a href="https://t.co/MqLejFjpeg">pic.twitter.com/MqLejFjpeg</a></p>— SNGPL Cricket Team (@SNGPLCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNGPLCricket/status/1044980146183327745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

so anyone missing Mohammad Hafeez

Not really. He's mediocre by international class standards, and his average probably reflects it. We need proper top order batsmen, he is just another flop like the guys who failed in the Asia Cup.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Celebration from Dressing Room <a href="https://twitter.com/MHafeez22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MHafeez22</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QEATrophy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QEATrophy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SNGPLCricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SNGPLCricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/LsJyP0rHdM">pic.twitter.com/LsJyP0rHdM</a></p>— SNGPL Cricket Team (@SNGPLCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNGPLCricket/status/1045670126937403392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

The fighter fights back with a hundred!

 

[ShahSaab]

Must for World Cup next year , especially lower down the order , unfortunately we don’t have any one to replace him

 

[MenInG]

 

[Rana]

Gun player when on song.

Imam
Fakhar
Hafeez
Babar
Malik
Asif
Sarfaraz
Faheem
Imad
Hassan
Junaid

My team for the 2019 wc semi final if we get there

 

[Saj]

A nice track and a friendly bowling attack to make your comeback too.

However credit to him, can't have been easy making a comeback after such a long time.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Gun player when on song.

Imam
Fakhar
Hafeez
Babar
Malik
Asif
Sarfaraz
Faheem
Imad
Hassan
Junaid

My team for the 2019 wc semi final if we get there

Agreed. Imad was badly missed.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

A nice track and a friendly bowling attack to make your comeback too.

However credit to him, can't have been easy making a comeback after such a long time.

Starc and Lyon are world class. Pitch was docile yes.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

One failure and he will be public enemy nr 1 yet again. Just wait and watch.

Still feel that Hafeez can be handy at 5/6 scoring at a high scoring rate in the middle overs. Yes things are different in the UAE and he will even survive as an opener.

 

[Abdullah719]

One failure and he will be public enemy nr 1 yet again. Just wait and watch.

Still feel that Hafeez can be handy at 5/6 scoring at a high scoring rate in the middle overs. Yes things are different in the UAE and he will even survive as an opener.

The reason why people are against him being in the middle-order in ODIs is because his strike-rotation is quite poor. If he doesn't get boundaries, he invariably ends up bringing pressure onto the team with a slew of dots. Better teams will know how to shut him down, most of the time. He can be handy right at the death purely as a stroke-maker, sure, but we have others who can do the same just as well, or better.

 

[MenInG]

After today - I dont see Hafeez is going away soon

 

[mak36]

After today - I dont see Hafeez is going away soon

His dropped catch nearly cost Pakistan the game.

 

[ads101]

Regardless of his age, I don't think he has a role in T20s merit wise. His fielding was poor today, his batting was alright given in comparison to his peers. But his bowling is just a part time option, it's clear he's not really need to bowl full quota. Nor would you want to as Shadab and Imam are clearly better. There's little point being 3rd best spinner in your team when you have so many bowling options.

Think it's also convinced me that Imad should get the no.7 spot in ODIs. Pakistan just look more dangerous with a spin duo, most teams play spin worse. You could bowl Imad full quota no issue really. I'd prefer a better bat at 7 than Imad, but feel his bowling will cover it. And credit to him, he's been effective at getting runs lower down, average of 35 at SR 100 is very good stat wise at least. But yeah I just think the bonus of his bowling is too much, it rounds off our bowling attack better, and reduces the pressure on Shadab.

 

[Mamoon]

So the fighter has won . . . again.

I think it is curtains for Haris in ODIs for the moment, but I would much prefer Asif Ali to make way for Hafeez.