Daily Times

KARACHI: Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is looking for answers after he was snubbed for the recently concluded five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Sources were quoted as saying Tuesday that the 37-year-old was left frustrated after being overlooked by the team management in the five-ODI series against the minnows. The Men in Green, under the leadership of Sarfraz Ahmed, went on to whitewash the home side in the series. Sources confirmed that Hafeez was in the team management’s plan to play in the fifth game, but he refused to take part in the match because he believed both openers – Imamul Haq and Fakhar Zaman – deserved their place after scoring two centuries apiece in the first four matches.

The Lahore-born was also frustrated because he left Rs.15 million contract with the GT20 League in Canada for the Zimbabwe series. Sources confirmed that Hafeez asked the team management to give him a clear answer about his place in the future series, to which he got the response that he is ‘still’ very much a part of the upcoming series. Hafeez believes that he is being treated harshly and is being now forced to retire by creating an atmosphere which will make it difficult for him to work in the future. Hafeez – who has represented Pakistan in 50 Tests, 200 ODIs and 83 T20Is, where he scored 11,224 runs and claimed 239 wickets – wants to finish his career on a high and wants to have a word with the selectors before making a final call.

Sources also confirmed that head coach Mickey Arthur does not see the veteran all-rounder in his plans, as he prefers a team of youngsters. Arthur was seemingly not pleased with the selection of Hafeez in the team for the tour as he believed the Peshawar Zalmi all-rounder will cement his place with impressive performances against a weaker opposition. Other members of the squad also have the information about Arthur’s plans for the team where he is counting on youngsters for the upcoming World Cup next year.

It is believed by many that Arthur is Pakistan’s most influential coach in the country’s cricketing history and has the power to overrule the selection committee’s decisions as well. Players are also being given the Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) for taking part in the T20 leagues after Arthur’s permission.

Published in Daily Times, July 25^th 2018.