Sports

Azhar, Hafeez boycott camp, refuse to train alongside Amir

Players met head coach Waqar Younis and informed him about their reservations

Sports Desk December 24, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan left-arm pacer Muhammad Amir’s return to international cricket was once again hindered by ODI captain Azhar Ali and right-hand batsman Muhammad Hafeez’s denial to train alongside the disgraced player.

According to the Express News, Azhar and Hafeez informed head coach Waqar Younis regarding their reservations during a meeting today.

PCB issues show cause notice to Hafeez over remarks against Amir

"I will not move away from my stance and go back to the camp until Amir is there" said Hafeez.

Azhar seconded Hafeez's standing and said that if the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan calls him only then he will go back to the camp.

"I am not willing to play alongside a player who caused disgrace to my country," said Azhar.

Shoaib Malik ready to play alongside Muhammad Amir

Meanwhile, a meeting is taking place between Waqar, bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, chief selector Haroon Rasheed and T20 captain Shahid Afridi.

The players are currently undergoing fitness training in Lahore till January 7, 2016.

Amir has been in the limelight ever since he returned to the domestic fold after his five-year ban; recently making waves at the Bangladesh Premier League where he dismissed established batsmen and compatriots Shahid Afridi, Misbahul Haq and Mohammad Hafeez.

PCB seeks legal advice over Amir visa issue

The left-armer’s inclusion was already reported to not go down too well with Hafeez, who had voiced concerns over sharing a dressing room with Amir, claiming that the 23-year-old let his country down during the spot-fixing scandal.

The ODI captain Azhar has now jumped the train and is taking sides with Hafeez on the issue.

Senior bowler Umar Gul is also back in contention after doing well in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QAT) for HBL. Gul’s career has been plagued by a recurring knee injury but he seems to have finally overcome it.

Muhammad Amir consults lawyers for national team comeback

Meanwhile, rookie left-arm pacer Rumman Raees has been called up as well after impressing for Pakistan A against the English Lions in their five-match T20 series.

The main objective of the camp is to improve the players’ overall physical fitness and enhance their technical aspects in order to prepare them for upcoming international assignments.

COMMENTS (30)

Muhammad JAMIL MALIK | 8 years ago | Reply Allah Kareem forgives those who seek His forgiveness from the core of heart.Personally I think , Aamir should be forgiven and he should be entertained yet with another chance to play for his MOTHERLAND, Pakistan. If he is found guilty then he should be banned forever.But Hafeez and Azhar have no place in national team.They themselves are fighting for their place in team.Who are they, to oppose Aamir? Kick them out of team, if they are unwilling. Thanx

Effy | 8 years ago | Reply Enough of drama, PCB needs to sho some guts, please throw HAfeez and Azhar ALi out They dont belong to international cricket

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Saad | 8 years ago | Reply Once a cheat always a cheat. It is bad for the morale of the team to bring a cheater back.

f Khan | 8 years ago | Reply PCB, the ball is in your court. What will it be? Will Azhar and Hafeez be taught there is nothing greater then country and its institutions, or will it be that we, the nation, learn that player power rules? On an other note, I am pretty sure that depending on how the PCB handles this issue, Afridi will be the next person to jump in to the flay. And let's not forget, Hafeez is the guy who bowls illegal balls; and Afridi is the guy who bites the ball. Finally, as another writer pointed out, it is so strange that both Azhar and Hafeez continue to work in a team managed by Waqar. One would think that they should at least be consistent in their feelings for their country -- which should be for every one and not just one player. So, PCB -- the ball is literally in your court!!!

xik | 8 years ago | Reply Amir's return seems threat for these buddies, I suppose. Be good boys, he is far better than you guys in every sphere of the game.

R Kashmiri | 8 years ago | Reply Well said MJ. Absolutely correct

Friend | 8 years ago | Reply If it comes to disgrace, then look at our ICC ranking in ODIs which speaks volumes of disgrace among cricketing nations. Pakistan need Amir even at the cost of Hafeez.

such bolta hoon | 8 years ago | Reply Surprising to see the two individuals ( Hafeez & Azhar ) doing politics here. They are classed as team players. It's the Pakistani team not their private business where they are supposed to take decisions on their own. As far as Amir is concerned I think he should not be allowed to play for the country. It's fine for him to play domestic etc as he is entitled to earn his living but must not be allowed to represent the country. To summarise get rid of the three of them. No one is superior to the game.

MJ | 8 years ago | Reply Azhar and Hafeez have no issues playing with the Akmal brothers, who are not just merely spot fixers like Amir, but seasoned match fixers. I believe Amir after his suspension now works as a mole for ICC (in a good way) and will alert the cricketing authorities if he witnesses any kind of fixing in the Pakistani team. That is what Hafeez and Azhar afraid of.

imran | 8 years ago | Reply And Hafeez has been bowling with an illegitimate action for 10 yrs . What about that ?

R Kashmiri | 8 years ago | Reply So Hafeez and some of his cronies who fix matches are now scared of Amir. They threw him out to the wolves when it all erupted and they are all worried they won't be able to do any kind of fixing if Amir is back. Amir has already been blown off by the rest of the unknown fixing members and he won't stay quiet. Or He has already mentioned some names to the anti corruption unit and hafeez and Co are now mad at him. My two theories.

Abdul Latif | 8 years ago | Reply Hafeez's International career is over. Azhar Ali is good for nothing. Both should get replaced with new blood in ODIs...Azhar can carry on test though..... Amir deserve second chance and all great legends like-Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Inzy,Waqar, Mohammad Yousuf are in favor of having him in national team of PAK. Hafeez & Azhar Ali should either shut their mouth and try to concentrate on their game or should retire...

nasser | 8 years ago | Reply Both should be droppef forever since it is a desciplinary matter.

naveed | 8 years ago | Reply look at who is talking,Hafiz and Azhar should thank the PCB that they are in the team,rather then be thankful they are creating problems,its not them but someone else who is pulling the strings.this team anyway must be sent on forced retirement

Thora Bora | 8 years ago | Reply @Zaheer Ahmed: Well Said!

Tariq Nasim | 8 years ago | Reply Aamir should not be allowed to play in Pakistan team. Those from other countries who are well wishers for him give him your country nationality and take with you. He has disgraced his country Pakistan and should not be allowed to play again.

syed | 8 years ago | Reply If cricket has allowed Amir to play. Then who are they to question the decision Hafeez should be penalised for decepline. And shown the door for couple of matches. Anyway he is burden on the team. Azhar should go through counseling session, as why he is putting his career on the line for Hafeez.

Yasir | 8 years ago | Reply What is wrong with these ppl , He has served his time .Apparently, Muhammad Amir is better and much needed as compared to these two . Player power shouldn't be tolerated . Kick them out Please...

Ih | 8 years ago | Reply Pcb should respect their wishes and let them go. no body is indispensable . If Pcb lets Hafeez and Azhar set the agenda what is next ? Ethnic origin, color of skin length of beard?

Anuj | 8 years ago | Reply I must admit I'm quite impressed with these two players. Atleast they have the guts to boycott camp unlike our BCCI official who just won't terminate Dhoni and Raina. Learn from these 2 BCCI. Respect from India!

J.Niaz | 8 years ago | Reply Do Azhar and Hafeez believe that what they say and do goes while PCB watches from the sidelines? Ban them both without delay.

mirestan | 8 years ago | Reply @Zaheer Ahmed: you are the best I agree with you.

Pakistan | 8 years ago | Reply The comments so far show how much our people have degenerated in approach to life. Dignity or integrity have suffered most. Self esteem has vanished. All those who would like to share a Dressing Room with a convicted felon should be administered advice.If still not reformed they should be shown the door. For God's sake have some self respect. Don't cry to end corruption when you are corrupt yourself. Stop this hypocrisy. If you want to be respected in International Cricket then drop this convict. Let him play domestic games.BUT HE WILL NOT REPRESENT PAKISTAN.Period.

Sana | 8 years ago | Reply Hafeez and Azhar should leave Pakistan as our political leaders have disgraced Pakistan. Untill they live in Pakistan, Hafeez and Azhar should not live in Pakistan till then :)

Irfan_Sydney | 8 years ago | Reply I wonder why these two players did not complain to play under Mushtaq Ahmed and Waqwar Younis coaching ? Both were found guilty under justice Qayyoom investigation . May be If Aamir comes then Salman Butt will also come and then these openers may find a competition on New Zealand , Australia and English wickets where Pakistan will play in 2016.

Zaheer Ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply It's a blessing in disguise for Pakistan ODI outfit. They will be better off without Azhar and Hafeez. If we can have Zardari as President and Nawaz as PM in Pakistan then why can't Aamir, who took some money to bowl a no ball and then spent 5 years in isolation, cannot come back to play cricket for Pakistan.

AQ | 8 years ago | Reply good decision by Azhar Ali, they riun the performance of Azhar in test.

salman | 8 years ago | Reply Its high time to get rid of Hafeez in partivular . Under these both azhar and hafeez, Pakistan team has reached new low in ODIs. Instead of improving their own performance they are trying to stay relevant by targeting Amir. If PCB has decided to select Amir back again than they better accept the decision of board else face the proper suspension.

Pakhtun | 8 years ago | Reply The solution is very simple. Kick out the burden on national team "Hafeez" out of the team for good.

mirestan | 8 years ago | Reply Hafiz is a trouble maker, he is 35 years old should have been retired. Azhar is a fool to fallow friend. Both should be out of Pakistani cricket. They are not above Pakistani cricket. Should not be allowed to join the camp again. Their central contract should be terminated.

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