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Mohammad Hafeez reacts to squad selection for NZ series
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Not that I support Amir and Imad coming back, but wasn’t Hafeez also running behind the two back when he was director?
Yet he was holding talks with the two for a possible return when he become team director.If I recall, Hafeez was pretty vocal against Amir's return in his playing days.
For some reason this twitter post by hafeez made me laugh so much irl.Mohammad Hafeez reacts to squad selection for NZ series
Hafeez already knew about the 29 players in kakul camp, he shouldn't be suprised lol.Its easy to talk as an analyst. Hafeez is not being truthful about why he was removed by the PCB. The reality is that he rubbed the players off the wrong way, they all unanimously complained that he bored them with his lengthy lectures and his stubborn opinions.
His solutions i.e. ban players from T-20 leagues, block NOC's are not practical, it will increase player drain from Pakistani domestic cricket and even national cricket to USA and force players to become T-20 freelancers and the Pakistani Cricket economy unlike the BCCI is not big enough to demand players to be exclusive.
PCB has no choice but to make compromises with Amir, Imad. In any case the top domestic performers were in the PSL.
He already knew about the kakul camp and that 15 would be selected from it.What a drama queen
I don't even get what hafeez is trying to say?
This isn't Odi where you check List A performances.
Majority of domestic performers were in psl, and hafeez was already aware of the 29 kakul camp players and he already knew that the final 15 would be selected from these 29?
So why is he acting like these picks are all out of the blue?
Mohammad Hafeez reacts to squad selection for NZ series
Shan Masood?Not sure which domestic players he wanted selecting.
Generally, it sets a wrong precedent if you start picking players who haven't played domestic cricket. Like picking Haris Rauf for tests in England Tests was an unfair and poor move as well. Zaman Khan's selection is a bit weird. He didn't do anything much in the PSL either.Hafeez is deluded if he thinks that not selecting your best team before the World Cup is the right thing to do, just to satisfy some idea of fairness and merit that exists only in his head. With only 2-3 players, you could make this case. The rest all performed to earn their spot.
This is a sport. This is not about giving everyone their turn to represent Pakistan. It's about selecting the best team that has the greatest chance of winning the World Cup.
The domestic cricket argument doesn't work here because the last National T20 Cup simply wasn't that competitive. Barely any first team players were playing and I think even Ahmed Shahzad managed to finish as one of the leading run-scorers.Generally, it sets a wrong precedent if you start picking players who haven't played domestic cricket. Like picking Haris Rauf for tests in England Tests was an unfair and poor move as well. Zaman Khan's selection is a bit weird. He didn't do anything much in the PSL either.
Even though M. Harris didn't have a good psl, but I don't know what selectors want to do by continuing to pick Azam Khan despite him failing in every single occasion and having looked out of breath and out of place in international cricket.
Although Mohammad Hafeez isn't a very intelligent person one needs to pay attention to. But I do agree with him on not letting the tainted guys back who just have money on their minds.
Franchise League based selections and PSL based selections are fine for T-20 cricket but not for ODI and Test Cricket.
It's PCB's job to improve the standard of all their tournaments. Yes it's fine for PSL to be used as a selection criterion for t20i side. But the players shouldn't act like prima donnas and say we will only play PSL and no other tournament in Pakistan because they aren't good enough for a superstar like me. That attitude kills the merit.The domestic cricket argument doesn't work here because the last National T20 Cup simply wasn't that competitive. Barely any first team players were playing and I think even Ahmed Shahzad managed to finish as one of the leading run-scorers.
For T20 cricket, selection is going to be largely on the basis of PSL. And when you look at the squad almost every player did well in the PSL. I don't like Azam Khan but I think he had a SR over 170 and an average of 25+ this season, which is good from someone playing at 5/6. Amir is the only one selected on reputation. And based on the kind of clutch performances he has given in the past, it makes total sense.
While its always good to do the right thing, I feel in countries like Pakistan where the system is already in disarray, you can afford to set a bad example if it increases your chances of winning.
ODIs in the modern era are an extension of T20s, so PSL performances (along with List A) should form part of the selection criteria for 50 over cricket.
ODIs still demand batsmen who can bat at modern strike rates like Rohit Sharma while having good shot selection and to be able to bat for a good 40-50 overs, hacks like Asif Ali, Khushdil will not do.
Similarly ODIs require opening pacers to bowl well with the new ball, middle overs, spinners to actually be able to take wickets in the middle overs rather than looking to contain and good death bowling skills. T20 bowling is not good enough as our bowlers found out in the ODI WC in India.
Amir wasn't selected on reputation, he was one of the best bowlers wickets wise and eco wise in the PSL.The domestic cricket argument doesn't work here because the last National T20 Cup simply wasn't that competitive. Barely any first team players were playing and I think even Ahmed Shahzad managed to finish as one of the leading run-scorers.
For T20 cricket, selection is going to be largely on the basis of PSL. And when you look at the squad almost every player did well in the PSL. I don't like Azam Khan but I think he had a SR over 170 and an average of 25+ this season, which is good from someone playing at 5/6. Amir is the only one selected on reputation. And based on the kind of clutch performances he has given in the past, it makes total sense.
While its always good to do the right thing, I feel in countries like Pakistan where the system is already in disarray, you can afford to set a bad example if it increases your chances of winning.
The only issue with that, is that you wouldn't be able to identify batting orders and correct batting positions so domestic and list A stats need to be checked on which position the player is most comfortable in.ODIs in the modern era are an extension of T20s, so PSL performances (along with List A) should form part of the selection criteria for 50 over cricket.
So are you saying you would only base your selections for 50 over cricket on List A performances?
I don't think so. There were 13 bowlers who outperformed him in wickets and probably even more who had better economy rates than him. But that's perfectly alright because he should be in the squad.Amir wasn't selected on reputation, he was one of the best bowlers wickets wise and eco wise in the PSL.
He just got overlooked by alot of people cause he finished in top 10 and younger guns like Ali outshined him.
Didn't he take like 11 wickets in psl? Hold in let me check the stats again.I don't think so. There were 13 bowlers who outperformed him in wickets and probably even more who had better economy rates than him. And that's perfectly alright.
Yeah but at the same time we shouldn't be encouraging mediocrity. Performing well in domestic means nothing if you bomb on the big stage. If the domestic output was good enough we wouldn't have needed to bring two players out of retirement. PCB is backed into a corner in regards to making the domestic T20 tournament mean anything too because even if first team players are available during that window they will likely choose to play a T20 league. And can you blame them? For trying to make the most of the 2 NOC policy and the fact that the quality + competitiveness of cricket would be higher in that T20 league than the domestic T20 tournament.It's PCB's job to improve the standard of all their tournaments. Yes it's fine for PSL to be used as a selection criterion for t20i side. But the players shouldn't act like prima donnas and say we will only play PSL and no other tournament in Pakistan because they aren't good enough for a superstar like me. That attitude kills the merit.
Regarding Azam Khan, he's always done well in PSL (especially last 2-3 seasons), but the thing is PSL is played in March in cooler temperatures. When Azam was made to play in the heat of UAE last year, he couldn't even move as his wicketkeeping was struggling so badly. Let's not talk how his batting exploits went in internationals.
I don't think it's fine setting a bad example. The players who work tirelessly in the domestics and put in all the hard yards should be given a chance (if they are performing), rather than giving a chance to a person who considers himself above Pak Cricket. If Amir ends up injured in the lead up to the wt20i due to "workload" or doesn't perform like people expect him to, it should be a permanent closure to his international career.
Okay I get what you meant. He did perform well in the PSL. Might not have been one of the best bowlers of the tournament but he did have fairly good numbers.Didn't he take like 11 wickets in psl? Hold in let me check the stats again.
Yeah he took 10 wickets at an eco of 8.41 which is good. And some of the bowlers who outperformed him like zaman khan had an eco of nearly 10.
I think excluding the spinners and Ali + Willey, he had the most balanced Wickets + Eco rate.
Then again knowing pcb politics I wouldn't be suprised if what you're saying is true. So fair point.
The thing, some of the bowlers > him on that list like hasan Ali mostly bowled in the middle same with many spinners.Okay I get what you meant. He did perform well in the PSL. Might not have been one of the best bowlers of the tournament but he did have fairly good numbers.
Again picking Azam continuously without any improvement is encouraging both mediocrity and nepotism.Yeah but at the same time we shouldn't be encouraging mediocrity. Performing well in domestic means nothing if you bomb on the big stage. If the domestic output was good enough we wouldn't have needed to bring two players out of retirement. PCB is backed into a corner in regards to making the domestic T20 tournament mean anything too because even if first team players are available during that window they will likely choose to play a T20 league. And can you blame them? For trying to make the most of the 2 NOC policy and the fact that the quality + competitiveness of cricket would be higher in that T20 league than the domestic T20 tournament.
For this reason, pacers should be competing with each other on the basis of their roles. If you have selected 3 pacers who bowl with the new ball, then ideally your 4th pacer should be someone who can bowl in the middle overs. Our selectors always miss this. Once Naseem got injured, we picked Hasan Ali who himself hasn't ever been a reliable opening bowler.The thing, some of the bowlers > him on that list like hasan Ali mostly bowled in the middle same with many spinners.
Amir bowled at opening and in death where bowlers eco rates are much higher.
So in hindsight really the only people who objectively outperformed him where Ali and Willey. Naseem was more or less in the same criteria.
But I do know pcb, PCB doesn't ever look at these things , Brainless board. 100% they brought some people in due to random media drama or publicity, Babar azam as captain again being the biggest drama bazi.
Yes, T20 performances alone if not accompanied by domestic cricket and A team performances are not sufficient for ODI Cricket. This was the biggest lesson of the Asia Cup and ODI WC in India. Our batters and bowlers were brutally exposed especially our bowlers who are now just pure T20 bowlers who lack the stamina, fitness and discipline for bowling ten overs in an innings now.
The only issue with that, is that you wouldn't be able to identify batting orders and correct batting positions so domestic and list A stats need to be checked on which position the player is most comfortable in.
Otherwise you have joke decisions like rizwan opening in t20 and batting at no 4 in odi .
Now I am convinced it wasn't just the restaurant bill he didn't pay. It's more than that.When I saw Chacha’s name. It was already over for Pakistan. Now I’m convince Chacha pays selection for his selection on the team. Hopefully ICC catches him and bars him fir 20 years
Now I am convinced it wasn't just the restaurant bill he didn't pay. It's more than that.
He is right.
Amir did nothing in the PSL. He had zero impact and wasn’t even amongst the top local pacers.
People are deluded beyond belief if they think a washed up, expired Amir will boost Pakistan’s chances of winning the World Cup.
The less said about Imad, the better. The Amir and Imad drama will end at this World Cup and delusional fans wouldn’t know what hit them.
He is right.
Amir did nothing in the PSL. He had zero impact and wasn’t even amongst the top local pacers.
People are deluded beyond belief if they think a washed up, expired Amir will boost Pakistan’s chances of winning the World Cup.
The less said about Imad, the better. The Amir and Imad drama will end at this World Cup and delusional fans wouldn’t know what hit them.
Yeah, its all very well buffeting out on domestic jobbers and even then it doesn't look like he set the heather on fire. But when he comes up against the Indian, Australian elite beast batsmen etc, I think he will be found wanting and feigning injury on the field again.He is right.
Amir did nothing in the PSL. He had zero impact and wasn’t even amongst the top local pacers.
People are deluded beyond belief if they think a washed up, expired Amir will boost Pakistan’s chances of winning the World Cup.
The less said about Imad, the better. The Amir and Imad drama will end at this World Cup and delusional fans wouldn’t know what hit them.
He is right.
Amir did nothing in the PSL. He had zero impact and wasn’t even amongst the top local pacers.
People are deluded beyond belief if they think a washed up, expired Amir will boost Pakistan’s chances of winning the World Cup.
The less said about Imad, the better. The Amir and Imad drama will end at this World Cup and delusional fans wouldn’t know what hit them.
From what I recall, we had similar hopes in the Asia Cup after CT2017, that Amir would run-through the India lineup...
But theek hai, let all this play out.
Win win for Pakistan.
An Amir failure will ensure that all this special treatment drama will end once for all.
If he does well and Pakistan win the cup then that would be fine for us as well.
Because I personally do not like AmirThat sounds like a bitter afterthought.
If Babar does well and Pakistan win the World Cup, you would be dancing like crazy.
Why this discrepancy for personal favorites?
Because I personally do not like Amie
We lived through the time he brought Shane on us
And quite shamelessly I forgot about that when he helped us win CT2017
BTW, please don't lecture me on personal favourites without looking at your own self.
Just a strange batsmen to like with no ability to impact results.
There is something more infuriating - watching Pakistan lose.Likes and dislikes will exist just saying and theirs nothing more infuriating then watching a player you dislike win the game for Pakistan..
Not really no, ironically I'm kinda shocked that people get more upset on watching someone like amir or babar win a game for Pakistan then they do on actually losing.There is something more infuriating - watching Pakistan lose.
Well that's why our fanbase (and cricket generally) has become a byword for toxicity.Not really no, ironically I'm kinda shocked that people get more upset on watching someone like amir or babar win a game for Pakistan then they do on actually losing.
When Pakistan loses people jump at the chance to say Ha see I was right all along
Typically, fans of Rizwan and Babar tend to root for others' failure in order to maintain Rizwan and Babar's positions in the team.Not really no, ironically I'm kinda shocked that people get more upset on watching someone like amir or babar win a game for Pakistan then they do on actually losing.
When Pakistan loses people jump at the chance to say Ha see I was right all along
It's a team game so doesn’t make sense to berate the work horse in a team full of donkeys. Impact is subjective
Yes ik, rizwan, Babar and Misbah fans are the ones who have ruined everything.Typically, fans of Rizwan and Babar tend to root for others' failure in order to maintain Rizwan and Babar's positions in the team.
You should follow aussie cricket as well like I do, Literally their not toxic at all and are completly politics free.Well that's why our fanbase (and cricket generally) has become a byword for toxicity.
The 2023 Test series in Sri Lanka is one of my fondest memories as a Pakistan fan - not only because we won comprehensively or that Babar finally captained with some brain cells, but it took me back to my childhood.
The forum was down at that time so there was no "that guy's a fraud, this player must be dropped" hot takes every few minutes.
No social media either. Just me getting up stupidly early in the morning, watching the TV (may have been a stream) and supporting the team.
Now we're in an age where there's a contest on the field and a contest off the field between fans. That's one of the reasons why I'm following a lot of WI cricket now - their fans are passionate but lot more chilled out than desi fans.
I agree with hafeez but you also need to look at it from the perspective of Imad. Amir I don't mind cause ik he's the arrogant type,He raised a valid point earlier and now his explanation seems fair to me as well.
---------------------------
Mohammad Hafeez speaking during an interview.
"We have two players, Imad and Amir, who have not played domestic cricket for many years, they were brought back in the team. Amir hasn't played domestic cricket for 3-4 years, and he had taken retirement, however he was also brought back,"
"Imad Wasim, who hasn't played domestic cricket and was sitting on TV, he said that he didn't want to play cricket for Pakistan because when I talked to him, he had some objections and in his opinion, he was hard done by the last management because he didn't get fair chances. So when I talked to him and told him that whatever has happened has happened, we will look after you going forward, you play for Pakistan, he said no, he wants to play leagues, but he was brought back,"
“After that, I have great respect for Usman Khan's talent, but he is not part of Pakistan's system. How will you motivate thousands of cricketers in the domestic circuit who work day and night and play domestic cricket when your selection criteria is not based on domestic cricket performance? That's why I tweeted that after the inclusion of these three players, you have killed your domestic cricket,”
Another thing to add It's a t20 world cup, PSL has to be basis.I agree with hafeez but you also need to look at it from the perspective of Imad. Amir I don't mind cause ik he's the arrogant type,
But in Imad's case he felt hard done by management, Imad got dropped unfairly and yes I repeat unfairly because deapite not performing well, bowlers like rauf who performed worse remained in the team and I'd be mad if I got replaced by an inferior nawaz who's only shining highlight of his career is a tulla bazi against India, but also chocking it against India and South Africa.
I wouldn't be so trustworthy if someone from management came up to me and said " Yeah we treated you unfairly in the past, it happened, but now we'll take care of you"
^^ Like bro what reason do I have to trust you now?
As for usman khan, Hes wrong because usman literally ditched the system to play for Pakistan.
Hafeez needs to understand that the pcb system isn't fair, Theirs too much favouritism especially in the case of shan and Azam and many players from karachi or players like tayyab have met the unfair side of PCB.
Have a fair system like bcci or Australian board and then I'll agree with him. Had imad, Usman done this if they were in Australia I'd be the first to criticize, but pcb isn't a fair board
They also follow Misbah’s Tactics that we need to move forward fromPakistan's cricket team is in big trouble. The way they develop players is also a mess. They keep changing the rules and conditions, which makes it hard for anyone to improve. And their fast bowlers, who used to be their strength, are now struggling.
It's time for some honest reflection and real change. They need to start building from the ground up, with a focus on developing talented players and creating a team that can work together towards success. Anything less is just patching up the problem.