Sports

'Professor' responds to Shaharyar Khan's lack of educated players remark

Mohammad Hafeez makes his views public

Sports Desk May 24, 2016

Mohammad Hafeez plays towards square against Sri Lanka in World T20 warm-up match in Kolkata, India on March 14, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan's remark regarding a lack of educated players in the national team being a cause for cricket's downfall was not likely to settle well with everyone.

It was no surprise when Mohammad Hafeez, popularly referred to as 'professor', rose to the team's defence.

Lack of educated players brought cricket’s downfall, says PCB chairman

Hafeez in a Question and Answer session on Twitter responded to Shaharyar Khan’s comments, stating his views on the importance of education in cricket. Hafeez was asked:

Do you really think that education is a problem in Pakistan Cricket team.
— Muhammd Zeeshan (@MZeeshan686) May 22, 2016

@MHafeez22 does education make a better cricketer?
— Hera Khursheed (@hera9590) May 22, 2016

Making it obvious that he did not agree with chairman’s views, Hafeez said that while education was important for everyone, earning degrees was not enough in life.

Education is an important part of life but Having degrees r not enough..I m proud to b a TEST cricketer#my DEGREE https://t.co/zagzyZZyrG
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) May 22, 2016

Cricket is a complete education of a human being I believe .. https://t.co/6xewPR3AAK
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) May 22, 2016

Shaharyar Khan made the controversial comments last week while addressing the media in Quetta. “There are no graduate players in the team right now apart from Misbah and the absence of educated players in the team is a primary reason for its recent downfall,” he had said.

‘Gains’ of the Kakul boot camp

The experienced batsman is not attending the on-going boot camp in Kakul since he is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee problem at the national academy in Lahore.

The 35-year-old is also doubtful for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of England due to injury.

COMMENTS (14)

Faizan | 8 years ago | Reply Well education is important but a cricketer representing Pakistan should have the following things more than anything else: A) He should know how to play cricket. B) He should be patriotic and have passion to represent Pakistan. Salman Butt is the biggest example of this, he knows how to play but we all have seen his patriotism! While Hafeez has both the qualities mentioned above. So in this case I agree with Hafeez!

Kashif Naqvi | 8 years ago | Reply Degree is not worth the paper it's printed on! It is not the degree that is needed; it's the upbringing that needs upping.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Kashif Naqvi | 8 years ago | Reply Degree is not worth the paper it's printed on! It is not the degree that is needed; it's the upbringing that needs upping.

Chacha Jee | 8 years ago | Reply Kohli is a high school drop out but very articulate. It is the schooling system.

AK | 8 years ago | Reply So we must have graduate cricketers but "Anghootha chaap"(those who cannot sign their name and use thumb impression) lawmakers are OK? By the way most of the corruption in the country are done by those who are perhaps the most education. Just look at the list of NAB or Panama leaks related to Pakistan.

Historian | 8 years ago | Reply Amazing that so many respondents, let alone the so-called 'professor,' do not value education. Going to school and learning about the world is important no matter one's job, whether a leader or an athlete. It is what takes a person's natural abilities and adds confidence, lifts poise and hones analytical abilities. This doesn't mean that education makes good people, but without it...well, look at the state of Pakistan...enough said.

Saad | 8 years ago | Reply Majority of the people are going to hate me for this but I believe that Sheheryar Khan has a point here. Unfortunately, being educated is being considered as having some sort of a degree and whole point was dragged towards if a person has a degree or not by using the word, "graduate cricketers". What I believe is that lack of education is indeed a problem and a great one. By this, I mean the "educative" mindset that's required to contemplate about the ins and outs of the games and then approaching it in general. Our player lacks that mindset and don't give a damn sitting alone and then reviewing their mistakes. They just rely on their raw talent and that's it. Umer Akmal is the prime example. Just having a look at their way of playing, one can easily assess that what the other team is up to and what they have up their sleeves to outfox him. It's only sheet bad luck of any bowler that makes our batsmen look good on their day and that's it.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply The most civilized, well behaved and respectful person I have come across had never gone to school and most disrespectful, selfish, abusive, living on others money is an Oxford graduate and one of the greatest cricketer. Hafeez and old dude both are absolutely wrong.

Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply I have a Phd in Numerology and believe that would help me decide when or when not to play a cricket match. So, an education could help in sports.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Shaharyar's comment proved that having an education does not necessarily mean you have a understanding of what you're talking about.

SHAH | 8 years ago | Reply Looks like both, Chrm PCB and Professor do not know the difference between Education and Schooling; In real life education starts much before for the child, even before he/she learns to walk. Vast difference between schooling and education.. You can be having a Doctorate PHD but illiterate as far as manners, etiquette, respecting others, discipline, integrity, morality and ethics are concerned. Schooling does not educate an individual.. So, if Chrm PCB is talking about schooling, then he should compare himself with others and see how he himself has failed so badly in his job.. Professor need not enter into this fray and need not evaluate or comapre his abilities with others; It is actually one's responsibility to learn, practice in real life and gather honors and respect as you go along in life.

Zaida Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Education is problem in whole of Pakistan - not just cricket. Madrassa education is not enough in modern life.

abcd | 8 years ago | Reply "To teach a man in mind and not in morals is like teaching a menace to society." Applies to all walks of life... in our country and others.

pacer | 8 years ago | Reply Few years ago the condition of graduate degree for parliamentarians was ended. Somehow professional cricketers who start playing professional sports as teenagers need university education more then our parliamentarians. Strange logic.

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