PHOTO: AFP
Hafeez together with ODI captain Azhar Ali walked out of the training camp set up before the series against New Zealand in January 2016, citing Amir’s spot-fixing past as the reason. However, after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan intervened, both players agreed to be a part of the camp.
“I believe that there was some confusion about the whole issue,” said Hafeez. “Let me make it clear that what I expressed then was what can only be described as a principled stance, not taken against the individual, but rather against his actions. If anyone indulges in such activity, I will be the first one to raise my hand and question their inclusion. Now, since it came down to ensuring that the interest of Pakistan team is served well, and if everyone accepted Amir back in the fold then I had no objections.”
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The 35-year-old further highlighted his affection for Amir as a Pakistan cricket team player.
“Amir is like a brother to me as is every other person who plays for Pakistan and he will have my support for that reason,” he said. “Anyhow, all that is now history but my principled stance on this issue remains the same and will never change. Also, I am not the policy maker which is really the domain of the PCB and we have to support and respect every player who is playing for the country.”
Under fire for a disappointing display with the bat at the top for Pakistan in the on-going four-match Test series against England, Hafeez said he is ready to prove his credentials if given a chance at The Oval.
“You are absolutely correct in that every batsman wants to score big every time he goes out to bat for his country,” he said. “I may have missed a couple of chances to play a big innings but I am not disappointed as I know this is how it goes sometimes in cricket. I am confident that I am playing well and God-willing I will be able to convert these starts to big scores in the near future. All cricketers go through lean patches but hopefully, if selected [for the Test] at the Oval, I will show people what I am capable of as a batsman.”
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Pakistan, after winning the first Test at Lord’s, are now 2-1 down after defeats at Old Trafford and Edgbaston but the right-hand batsman believes the strong bond between the players can help them overcome England at the Oval.
“The way we started the series at Lord’s was pleasant to watch and very uplifting for us as well. All team members stepped up and performed well but then we must also give credit to England for responding to the pressure of losing the first Test and winning the second and third Test matches,” said Hafeez.
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“I must say that as a team we are still very confident for the remaining Test match. If you recall, I also expressed those sentiments before the start of the series when I said that we would do very well in England as we believe in each other’s abilities and have faith in our batting and bowling units,” he added.
“We have been playing together for the last few years and the bond between team members is very strong and the confidence level is very high. We are looking forward to our next challenges and I do believe that we have all the skills needed to win the final Test and rest assured, we will try our level best to make this happen.”
Mohammad Hafeez was quoted by PakPassion.net
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