"I hope to represent Pakistan in the World Cup" : Mohammad Hafeez

[shaaik]

Injured Hafeez hopeful to join Pakistan in World Cup 2019

Pakistan cricket’s senior player and former captain Mohammad Hafeez has said that he is hopeful to represent his country in the upcoming World Cup 2019, as he recovers from a hand injury sustained during recent Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“I am hopeful that very soon I would restart my international career… I am optimistic to start my activities by the mid of April and hope that I would represent Pakistan in the World Cup” said Hafeez, while talking to local media.

Pakistan’s all rounder has underwent two surgeries, after a hand injury sustained while attempting a return catch in Lahore Qalandars’ match against Karachi Kings at PSL in February.

Speaking about his previous World Cup experience, which the all rounder missed due to an injury as well, Hafeez said that it was something ‘unfortunate’ but such incidents are part of any sporting career.

“It was very disappointing and unfortunate that I was not able to play the 2015 World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand. I still missed that but I believe one needs to be thankful for the opportunities he gets,” said Hafeez.

Addressing Pakistan’s issue of low strike rate, Hafeez said that the batsman should learn to dominate once they get settled on the field. “In today’s cricket, once the batsman gets settled, then it is his responsibility to dominate the bowling attack,” he said.

https://www.brecorder.com/2019/04/0...z-hopeful-to-join-pakistan-in-world-cup-2019/

 

[ads101]

“In today’s cricket, once the batsman gets settled, then it is his responsibility to dominate the bowling attack”

This is just so true. The reason why we lost the Australian series so badly is that batsmen kept leaving the responsibility to someone else despite playing themselves in. I don't mind at all if you play slowly to get yourself in, it's more how you press on once you've settled.

 

[Pete Rose]

Looking forward to the controversy of his demanding to be selected on faith given he will have no opportunity to show his fitness

 

[Chokli]

Will be crucial for us if we are to win the World Cup.

 

[Saj]

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez believes India and England along with his own nation are the top three favourite teams to win the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup.

Brushing aside the recent run of defeats to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in ODIs, Hafeez, who is hoping to play in his third World Cup, is also confident that Pakistan can beat India in the World Cup in the United Kingdom and do a repeat off its Champions Trophy final triumph.

"Even from a critical point of view I think we are among the top three favourites for the World Cup. England is always favourites given the brand of cricket they are playing while India has developed a very good ODI side and have some great spinners in their line-up," Hafeez said on GTV News network.

Hafeez also insisted that the single format being used in the World Cup would go in favour of Pakistan since it always had this tendency to pick up its performances late into any tournament.

"In the group system teams usually don't get second chances and remember in 2007 both India and Pakistan were eliminated in the first round," he said.

Hafeez expects strong support for Pakistan in the UK

Hafeez said he was confident about Pakistan's chances in the World Cup since they have a good combination of players and have ample resources in pace and spin.

"We have been playing together as a unit for a while now and we try to support each other a lot. I have a feeling we will do very well in the World Cup," he said.

He also attributed Pakistan's World T20 title win in 2009 and the Champions Trophy title in 2017 in England to the massive support they got in the United Kingdom.

"Whenever we have played there the support has been immense and it also encourages the players to give their best."

Hafeez also made it clear that whenever he had toured India with the Pakistan team, he had seen the players get a lot of love and respect and had thoroughly enjoyed their stay there.

"I think in cricket we need to work together and diffuse the tensions," he said.

Hafeez is yet to recover from a surgery on his right thumb and confirmed he would be fully fit to train and start playing again after two to three weeks.

"I am very hopeful I will be fit before the World Cup and can make the squad. I have played two World Cups and as a senior player, I want to be part of this campaign as well. In the last World Cup, I got injured in New Zealand before the World Cup and that experience was devastating," he said.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...-hafeez-england-favourites-1494427-2019-04-04

 

[Asif321]

Hopefully he makes it otherwise they gona selcted nawaz

 

[Hawkeye]

Will be crucial for us if we are to win the World Cup.

You also post good stuff sometimes.

Yes, if Hafeez and Fakhar don't fire, we'll only be getting 250-260 totals.

 

[Saj]

Good series for Hafeez to miss.

His value increased by not playing.

He could squeeze into the World Cup squad.

 

[Chokli]

You also post good stuff sometimes.

Yes, if Hafeez and Fakhar don't fire, we'll only be getting 250-260 totals.

Yes, both are crucial.

But if Haris or any of the other middle order bats get going I think 280-290 is on.

Hafeez and Fakhar are needed to turn that 280 odd to 330.

 

[Chokli]

Good series for Hafeez to miss.

His value increased by not playing.

He could squeeze into the World Cup squad.

He wouldn't have fared too badly, he's one of the few players that play well in the UAE.

 

[Sher Khan]

Whether people like it or not, he is a proven matchwinner. Hopefully he bats at a good tempo throughout. He is a different beast when he plays positively.

 

[ARK Rafay]

He's the second player after Fakhar Zaman who has the ability to dominate bowlers and he's a match winner with the bat. But he should bat at no. 5 or below.

 

[MenInG]

He's the second player after Fakhar Zaman who has the ability to dominate bowlers and he's a match winner with the bat. But he should bat at no. 5 or below.

He needs to finish games for Pakistan as we truly do not have a finisher.

 

[ARK Rafay]

He needs to finish games for Pakistan as we truly do not have a finisher.

That's why i believe we need him at no. 6. And he can go from the very first ball

 

[hadi123]

Hope he's fit. Valuable player. He had a great series with the bat in SA. Also useful fielder and can chip in a few overs. He probably shouldn't be in the team post the WC though as he has not got age on his side.

 

[IMMY69]

He needs to finish games for Pakistan as we truly do not have a finisher.

I think he's the one player, when set, who actually does finish off the game.
Should bat no higher then 5 though.

 

[shokz1408]

I feel for pakistan to progress far in this world cup, hafeez will have to play, and do well at 6 or 7.

 

[GreenKhan]

Hafeez has hardly delivered for Pakistan in ICC world events. He averages about 20 in the ICC 50 over world cup , and also the same in Champions Trophy and ICC world T20. He has always been a mediocre player and he wont add anything to the squad, bu will also not be missed.

Also he averages about 25 in England in about 15 one day matches.

He has had his time, i rather take a younger player. He is also known to go missing in big matches and pressure situations. However he Might still go due to " experience" OR "senior player".