Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
"Of my 12,000 runs in international cricket, 11,000 are outside Pakistan" : Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Hafeez at a press conference after making 67 in the 2nd T20I against BD:
"I think this was a brilliant opportunity for me to represent Pakistan and to make winning contributions, I am more happy than anything else that I won the match for Pakistan and that required missing part in the team, I will try to fill it.
"I was very happy when Shoaib Malik played a good knock in a tough situation to win the match for Pakistan, that was something to learn from. Similarly, I am happy that I contributed towards a win with my knock today"
"If there is anything like this (policy against seniors) then we should talk about that. Personally, I spoke to the higher officials directly and told them that if I am not required, I should be clearly told. I am satisfied and happy with my services for Pakistan and if I can't make the team then I can leave the Pakistan team and focus on leagues. But I got no reply so I was holding myself and waited, and I am always available and more than happy whenever needed for Pakistan.
"What is being called a comeback, I saw it as an opportunity as I was more focused mentally. I am happier about contributing to a win for Pakistan, for me the best performances are those that take the team to a win. Malik played a match-winning innings also. I think communication is necessary to make things easier.
(Some people say that you do score in Pakistan, but in Eng/Aus your performances don't remain up to the mark) "If you look at stats - I can't speak about anyone. I haven't even played in Pakistan for the last 10 years so all my scores are outside Pakistan. Of my 12,000 runs in international cricket, 11,000 are outside Pakistan so I didn't really play in Pakistan conditions. So I am happy that I contributed for Pakistan in a win.
(How hopeful are you of resuming your bowling) "I am hopeful regarding the bowling test. Despite the shortcomings in the test, I accepted them but it was still imposed on me. I only accepted it because I always respect higher officials' decisions. So I will go for the test whenever it's scheduled. 29th is decided, so I am hopeful of passing and resuming my bowling.
"There is the pressure of expectations on you when you are returning, I didn't play any match for Pakistan since 7-8 months since the WC so there are a lot of thoughts, but I held myself and backed my preparation and experience.
"I didn't play any cricket, I didn't play domestic cricket either because I wanted youngsters to play since I'm not playing Tests, so I focused on practice, training etc. and I wanted to play white-ball cricket. I am happy that I kept myself positive in that tough time and kept myself ready.
"It's unusual to see such pitches in Pakistan, normally they are good batting tracks. Today's pitch was better but it still wasn't like the usual Pakistani pitch.
"It's always important to have experience in the team. Yesterday when Shoaib Malik was batting, the juniors sitting there, I was explaining to them to look at the process of winning a match, by seeing Shoaib Malik's controlled innings. I did get out cheaply there and I made a mistake, but you do lose your wicket. We have a lot of good talent in Pakistan. We need to do a bit more work on development so that the focus is on performing in a winning cause. Our batsmen have talent but the finishing touch at the international level, it takes time. It took us time too.
"When I joined the Pakistan team, I had the example of the likes of Inzamam-ul-Haq who made 10,000+ runs, Mohammad Yousuf who made a 100 every 2-3 matches and became MOTM, Shoaib Akhtar who used to pick up 5 wickets and become MOTM so I learned from them that if you don't give match-winning contributions, survival in the team is difficult.
"We lost the last 2 series but now we won this one. This will give a lot of confidence to the management and the captain, winning always helps the team. It's important that the youngsters learn from the juniors.
"There's always a right time when you want to leave with respect. If you're performing and fit and a player better than me gets ready, then I am more than happy to leave my place, if there is someone who can perform better at my number. For me, winning matches for Pakistan is important, not Mohammad Hafeez.
"When you come into the field, you try to set an example. Like with fitness criteria, Shoaib Malik in this team runs from boundary to boundary. I was speaking to him saying that in 2003 I was at point and I am still there, and you, when I saw you playing were running at the boundary and you're still doing that. That's something very special. It should be like that, when you're performing and fulfilling the criteria and the team needs you, you should stay in the team. Whenever there is a better player available, there's always a right time.
"It's always difficult when you have a situation like this (being dropped) but you have to absorb it. A positive mind helps you. I have seen many highs and lows in my career but I never became negative. I always remained positive and that helped me in my career. I always batted with a positive mindset. Though I am not some big, extraordinary 'talent' but I consider myself lucky that I worked hard and remained positive. If I was negative, I probably wouldn't be here today and I'd be doing something else.
"Wins give you positive energy and we were missing that. We won matches at home which has brought positivity in the dressing room.
"Our youngsters like Haris Rauf, he specially has a fantastic attitude and has the tools for success that any youngster should have. I have seen him since the last year at LQ, his thought process and attitude is strong, he accepts all challenges. In his first 2 matches, he never looked nervous or that he isn't ready for this stage. I think it's positive for Pakistan that youngsters are coming through with this type of development.
"Ahsan also performed well in the previous match on a difficult match. He needs to work a bit more on his technique and game awareness. The future is for them and I wish they play for Pakistan for a long time."
Mohammad Hafeez at a press conference after making 67 in the 2nd T20I against BD:
"I think this was a brilliant opportunity for me to represent Pakistan and to make winning contributions, I am more happy than anything else that I won the match for Pakistan and that required missing part in the team, I will try to fill it.
"I was very happy when Shoaib Malik played a good knock in a tough situation to win the match for Pakistan, that was something to learn from. Similarly, I am happy that I contributed towards a win with my knock today"
"If there is anything like this (policy against seniors) then we should talk about that. Personally, I spoke to the higher officials directly and told them that if I am not required, I should be clearly told. I am satisfied and happy with my services for Pakistan and if I can't make the team then I can leave the Pakistan team and focus on leagues. But I got no reply so I was holding myself and waited, and I am always available and more than happy whenever needed for Pakistan.
"What is being called a comeback, I saw it as an opportunity as I was more focused mentally. I am happier about contributing to a win for Pakistan, for me the best performances are those that take the team to a win. Malik played a match-winning innings also. I think communication is necessary to make things easier.
(Some people say that you do score in Pakistan, but in Eng/Aus your performances don't remain up to the mark) "If you look at stats - I can't speak about anyone. I haven't even played in Pakistan for the last 10 years so all my scores are outside Pakistan. Of my 12,000 runs in international cricket, 11,000 are outside Pakistan so I didn't really play in Pakistan conditions. So I am happy that I contributed for Pakistan in a win.
(How hopeful are you of resuming your bowling) "I am hopeful regarding the bowling test. Despite the shortcomings in the test, I accepted them but it was still imposed on me. I only accepted it because I always respect higher officials' decisions. So I will go for the test whenever it's scheduled. 29th is decided, so I am hopeful of passing and resuming my bowling.
"There is the pressure of expectations on you when you are returning, I didn't play any match for Pakistan since 7-8 months since the WC so there are a lot of thoughts, but I held myself and backed my preparation and experience.
"I didn't play any cricket, I didn't play domestic cricket either because I wanted youngsters to play since I'm not playing Tests, so I focused on practice, training etc. and I wanted to play white-ball cricket. I am happy that I kept myself positive in that tough time and kept myself ready.
"It's unusual to see such pitches in Pakistan, normally they are good batting tracks. Today's pitch was better but it still wasn't like the usual Pakistani pitch.
"It's always important to have experience in the team. Yesterday when Shoaib Malik was batting, the juniors sitting there, I was explaining to them to look at the process of winning a match, by seeing Shoaib Malik's controlled innings. I did get out cheaply there and I made a mistake, but you do lose your wicket. We have a lot of good talent in Pakistan. We need to do a bit more work on development so that the focus is on performing in a winning cause. Our batsmen have talent but the finishing touch at the international level, it takes time. It took us time too.
"When I joined the Pakistan team, I had the example of the likes of Inzamam-ul-Haq who made 10,000+ runs, Mohammad Yousuf who made a 100 every 2-3 matches and became MOTM, Shoaib Akhtar who used to pick up 5 wickets and become MOTM so I learned from them that if you don't give match-winning contributions, survival in the team is difficult.
"We lost the last 2 series but now we won this one. This will give a lot of confidence to the management and the captain, winning always helps the team. It's important that the youngsters learn from the juniors.
"There's always a right time when you want to leave with respect. If you're performing and fit and a player better than me gets ready, then I am more than happy to leave my place, if there is someone who can perform better at my number. For me, winning matches for Pakistan is important, not Mohammad Hafeez.
"When you come into the field, you try to set an example. Like with fitness criteria, Shoaib Malik in this team runs from boundary to boundary. I was speaking to him saying that in 2003 I was at point and I am still there, and you, when I saw you playing were running at the boundary and you're still doing that. That's something very special. It should be like that, when you're performing and fulfilling the criteria and the team needs you, you should stay in the team. Whenever there is a better player available, there's always a right time.
"It's always difficult when you have a situation like this (being dropped) but you have to absorb it. A positive mind helps you. I have seen many highs and lows in my career but I never became negative. I always remained positive and that helped me in my career. I always batted with a positive mindset. Though I am not some big, extraordinary 'talent' but I consider myself lucky that I worked hard and remained positive. If I was negative, I probably wouldn't be here today and I'd be doing something else.
"Wins give you positive energy and we were missing that. We won matches at home which has brought positivity in the dressing room.
"Our youngsters like Haris Rauf, he specially has a fantastic attitude and has the tools for success that any youngster should have. I have seen him since the last year at LQ, his thought process and attitude is strong, he accepts all challenges. In his first 2 matches, he never looked nervous or that he isn't ready for this stage. I think it's positive for Pakistan that youngsters are coming through with this type of development.
"Ahsan also performed well in the previous match on a difficult match. He needs to work a bit more on his technique and game awareness. The future is for them and I wish they play for Pakistan for a long time."
