NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain and coach Mohammad Hafeez made a startling revelation following his team’s narrow six-run defeat against India in the T20 World Cup in New York on Sunday.
Hafeez levelled allegations against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claiming that they prioritized their own interests and engaged in negotiations with players such as Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim to ensure their inclusion in the 15-member team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“They (PCB) brought them here out of greed, made deals with such players (Amir and Wasim) who have ruined Pakistan’s cricket. I was in the domestic circuit, but no one wanted to play domestic cricket. It is because they were telling me that ‘any of us gets selected, we will take it.’ How can it be that players who don’t even play Pakistan’s domestic cricket got selected,” Hafeez said.
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“When asked to play for Pakistan six months ago, they said they wanted to play in leagues. Since no leagues are happening these days, they are playing in the World Cup. They are playing in the World Cup as if it is just another league,” he added.
India were bowled out by Pakistan for 119 in 19 overs but while Mohammad Rizwan made 31 for Pakistan in a well-paced innings, Jasprit Bumrah delivered crucial wickets and his 3-14 in four overs proved decisive as Pakistan fell just short, ending on 113-7.
Hafeez levelled allegations against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claiming that they prioritized their own interests and engaged in negotiations with players such as Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim to ensure their inclusion in the 15-member team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“They (PCB) brought them here out of greed, made deals with such players (Amir and Wasim) who have ruined Pakistan’s cricket. I was in the domestic circuit, but no one wanted to play domestic cricket. It is because they were telling me that ‘any of us gets selected, we will take it.’ How can it be that players who don’t even play Pakistan’s domestic cricket got selected,” Hafeez said.
T20 World Cup 2024: Points Table | Schedule
“When asked to play for Pakistan six months ago, they said they wanted to play in leagues. Since no leagues are happening these days, they are playing in the World Cup. They are playing in the World Cup as if it is just another league,” he added.
India were bowled out by Pakistan for 119 in 19 overs but while Mohammad Rizwan made 31 for Pakistan in a well-paced innings, Jasprit Bumrah delivered crucial wickets and his 3-14 in four overs proved decisive as Pakistan fell just short, ending on 113-7.
Mohammad Amir, who had retired from international cricket in 2020, reversed his decision in March 2024 and declared his availability for the Pakistan team once again.
As part of his comeback, Amir was selected in the Pakistan squad that participated in the T20I series against New Zealand, Ireland, and England, which served as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
Following Amir’s footsteps, Imad Wasim, who had retired from international cricket in 2023, also decided to come out of retirement in April 2024 after holding discussions with PCB officials. Wasim expressed his readiness to represent Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Source Agencies
