Hafeez — redeeming his Test fortunes

Mohammad Hafeez has been nothing short of an enigma, an opener who has time and again tested the patience of Pakistan cricket fans and selectors.

But ever since losing the right to bowl at the international level, his performances with the bat have gone to an altogether new level.



Hafeez played arguably the best innings of his Test career in the second innings of the Sharjah Test versus England. The 151-run knock — his first hundred against England — will go down as a real match-winning effort if the Pakistan bowlers succeed in dismantling the visitors on the final day of a truly absorbing game of cricket.

Since November 2014, Hafeez has been a transformed batsman. He has taken first strike in all 17 innings of the nine Tests he has played and amassed 1,128 runs at an incredible average of 75.20. The tally includes four centuries and three fifties — including two scores in the 90s.

Hafeez’s strike rate, 63.62, remains an impressive feature of his performances. At the top of the innings, the right-hander has taken the attack to the opposition and has rarely been cowed down.

On a wearing Sharjah track, Hafeez’s approach on day three was refreshingly positive. After surviving some probing deliveries by the seasoned new ball duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, Hafeez gradually went on the offensive against the spinners.



The batsmen at the other end struggled for runs but Hafeez played some breathtaking shots with almost languid ease.

On day four, Hafeez twice survived an almighty scare in the opening over of the day — lbw appeal and a missed stumping — bowled by Adil Rashid before reaching the coveted three-figure mark.

But once he regained his composure, he continued to score runs by milking the spinners and hitting the odd boundary. With his captain Misbah at the other end, Hafeez added invaluable 93 runs for the fifth wicket.



Pakistan ideally would have hoped for more runs from his bat before he finally succumbed in an attempt of hoisting Moeen Ali out of the park. The final contribution of 151 off 266 balls was studded with 15 fours and three sixes.



In his astounding run over the last twelve months, Hafeez has hardly held back his shots. When Hafeez occupies the crease, he does that with great intent and purpose, ensuring that the runs don’t dry up.

His four big scores have all come at a brisk pace. The second innings 101 not out against New Zealand set up the game for Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar at Abu Dhabi last November— Pakistan won the match by 98 runs, with Hafeez striking at more than 70 runs per 100 balls in both outings with the bat.



In the last game of the same series, Hafeez posted a serene 197 off 316 balls, embellishing his innings with 25 fours and three sixes.

His career best — 224 at Khulna against Bangladesh — was another innings of complete authority and domination. Pakistan, though, were denied a win in the game after an astounding and resolute second-innings batting display by the hosts, but Hafeez’s contribution was what had set up the game for Misbah’s team.

Pakistan batters have a potentially tricky tour of England next year when they square up against the hosts in a four-Test skirmish. Hafeez’s technique and temperament is likely to be sternly tested in those conditions, but if he can overcome the cobwebs in the mind — especially his abysmal returns of the 2013 South Africa tour — he is likely to pose a big threat to the hosts.  

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2015.

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