Sports

Hafeez refuses to play in Amir's team

It's my personal opinion that I can't share dressing room with someone who hurt my country's integrity, says batsman

Afp November 21, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

DUBAI: Senior Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez on Saturday became the first cricketer to refuse to play alongside Mohammad Amir.

The tainted but cleared paceman will feature for Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh premier league starting from Wednesday -- a team Hafeez said also asked him to join.

"I was approached by my agent to play for the Chittagong team but when I knew that Amir was also in that team so I refused it point blank," Hafeez told AFP.

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"I have no personal issues with Amir or Chittagong, it's my personal opinion that I can't share the dressing room with someone who hurt my country's integrity."

Hafeez added: "If any other team makes me an offer then I will play the league and I have no problems facing Amir as I have played against him in the domestic matches but can't be in the same team," said Hafeez, a former Pakistan Twenty20 captain.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan had admitted some senior players were against Amir and other two -- Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.

The trio was caught in a spot-fixing scandal on Pakistan's tour of England in 2010 and were subsequently banned for five years.

They were also jailed in Britain.

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Their sanctions were lifted in September, but the PCB directed Butt and Asif to complete a roadmap only after which they will be allowed to play for Pakistan.

But there was worldwide sympathy for Amir because of his age -- 18 at the time of the scandal -- and for the fact that he pleaded guilty.

But Hafeez is not ready to give his countryman any sympathy.

"I had a lot of respect for all three before the incident as they were all talented but after the sordid episode I lost all respect because of their acts," said Hafeez.

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"They damaged the hopes and respect of the fans," said Hafeez. "They were just banned and went away from the fields, it was us who had to bear the brunt.

"We had to restore Pakistan team's integrity, restore the confidence of the world because in 2010 there were talks of banning our team from international cricket.

"We had to suffer the taunts of the fans and after 2010 every act, every defeat and every mistake of ours was seen as suspicious, so we overcame that tough time and will not allow it to happen again."

Asked what if Amir is included in the Pakistan team again, Hafeez said: "We will look at it when it happens, its premature to say anything now."

COMMENTS (11)

karl | 9 years ago | Reply Hafeez should be respected for his principles. But at the same time principles should not be selectively applied. Hafeez is still ready to play under Head Coach Waqar, who along with Wasim Akther and others was found involved in match fixing by the Justice Qayyum commission.

THE | 9 years ago | Reply It's Shameful to see people siding with a player who has been involved in the biggest scandal of cricketing history. We as a nation never learn, cannot overcome corrupt practices and cannot be reliable if we keep on with the same old. Forgiveness does not mean that we keep ex-criminals in the dressing room if they are talented.

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Danish | 9 years ago | Reply Hafeez has been a dead weight on the Pakistan cricket team for a very long time. His own inclusions for so many years has been an eye sore. Each time he is marketed as the premier batsman for Pakistan but ends up scoring under 30s. Goto cric info and see his ODI average! . He has no right to say anything to Pakistan. He has milked Pakistan cricket team all his life and made enough money.

Tahir | 9 years ago | Reply Totally agreed with Hafeez view's. It's not a personal matter better two players or a team as rightly said by Hafeez. It's a matter of pride to give respect to those who didn't sell their soul and their country for few pounds. It's time for us as as nation to understand it and let set an example for our future generations that will never ever try to betray Pakistan and it's people. Ban Aamir aand the others two for life. They don't have the right to represent Pakistan anymore no matter how much talented they are. Please as a nation understand it for the betterment of our future generations.

Dr. Asad Sadick | 9 years ago | Reply If Hafeez is selected for a match and refuses to play re Amir or for matter anyone else he doesn't agree with, he would be dismissed from the side on disciplinary grounds. His feelings are his problem and he better be able to deal with them...by the way also his running between wickets. Someone on this forum remarked that Hafeez is not half the player Amir is. I feel he is protecting some other fast bowler who might be thrown out if Amir makes it.

Burki | 9 years ago | Reply Look who is talking. He is acting like he is something big. This is a guy who despite play for over a decade still couldn't establish himself as a dependable opening batsman yet continue to hog a place in the team. If he really had some moral values, he would have left the team long ago to open up the spot for a truly talented young batsman.

Kickass | 9 years ago | Reply @Some one: you need a kick in your behind. Don't mind you asked for it.

Naeem | 9 years ago | Reply Hafeez, what if Allah has the same attitude towards your sins? Please pray a lot for your sins, because I you are not forgiven then you will suffer much more. Amir has already paid for his crime and asked forgiveness from the nation. You have your personal ego a Allah has his ego. Learn humility.

Shae | 9 years ago | Reply God forgives, people don't. No one is perfect. The boys who cheated got what they deserved, they did the time for the crime. Keeping a grudge against anyone for life is a sign of weakness not integrity. Leave the judgement to God and get on with life and cricket for the sake of the country you care about.

Some one | 9 years ago | Reply Oh please..you are not even half the player Amir is...and when Amir gets back no one will remeber hafeez...except that he got out on many DUCKS!!!

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply I salute Hafeez on his brave decision and standing on right side of the history. Corrupt PCB officials and dishonest players should never be allowed to tarnish Pakistan's image.

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