Mohammad Hafeez Archives

Champions Trophy: Former captain calls for Imam-Kamran opening pair for India clash

Former captain Mohammad Hafeez has urged a change in the Pakistan team’s opening pair for the highly-anticipated clash against India at the Champions Trophy 2025, set to be played tomorrow in Dubai International Stadium.

After regular opener Saim Ayub’s injury, Pakistan was forced to change their opening pair. Pakistan’s middle-order mainstay, Babar Azam, was elevated as the opener for the tri-nation series and Champions Trophy.

However, the national side suffered another blow following the injury of opening batter Fakhar Zaman in their opening game against New Zealand on 19 February.

Left-handed batter Imam-ul-Haq was brought into the squad as his replacement for the side’s remaining games in the Champions Trophy 2025.

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As Pakistan prepares for the clash against India tomorrow, Hafeez has suggested going into the game with the opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Kamran Ghulam.

During an appearance on a private TV show, Hafeez reiterated his stance of restoring Babar Azam to his usual No. 3 position, where he scored most of his runs in the ODI format.

“Babar Azam has to come at No. 3. If Fakhar Zaman’s replacement as the opener and Kamran Ghulam open the inning, then our remaining batting order will be sorted out,” Hafeez said.

The former batter also emphasized that Kamran Ghulam has shown his potential by performing in Tests and ODIs for Pakistan on recent tours.

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He further emphasized the batting position of Pakistani batters for the highly anticipated clash.

“Babar will come at No. 3, Mohammad Rizwan at No. 4, and Salman Agha will bat at No. 5,” he said.

Mohammad Hafeez believed the current team combination would not benefit the side in the upcoming IND vs. PAK game at the Champions Trophy 2025.

“If we stick with the same composition, then the results will be the same,” he concluded.

READ: Champions Trophy: Ben Duckett’s blistering 165 takes England to 351 against Australia

Former Pakistan captain offers valuable advice to Imam-ul-Haq ahead of India clash

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has offered a piece of advice for top-order batter Imam-ul-Haq ahead of the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against arch-rivals India.

Imam-ul-Haq was called up in the Pakistan squad as a replacement for opener Fakhar Zaman, who was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after he sustained an injury during the match against New Zealand in Karachi on 19 February.

Mohammad Hafeez, during a recent interview, expressed his support for Imam, however, he advised the left-handed batter Imam to improve his strike rate.

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“He is a fantastic player with a strong record in ODIs. The biggest question mark is his strike rate. The missing element in his game is the intent to score quickly as an opener,” Hafeez stated.

“I wish him all the best. Even though he has come in as a replacement, he is a strong character, and I am confident he will seize this opportunity.”

For the unversed, Imam played his last of 72 ODIs against South Africa during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. He has scored 3,138 runs at an impressive average of 48.27, featuring nine centuries and 20 half-centuries.

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Meanwhile, his last international match was the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2023 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

It’s worth noting that the defending champions and hosts Pakistan began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand.

They will now face arch-rivals India in the much-awaited clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23 before returning home to square off against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Mohammad Amir reveals his conversation with Fakhar Zaman after injury blow

Former cricketer urges Babar Azam to return at No. 3 in Champions Trophy

Mohammad Hafeez, the former Pakistan cricket captain, has stated his opinion regarding the batting position of Babar Azam for the forth-coming Champions Trophy 2025.

Hafeez believes that Babar should return to his usual No. 3 spot in the batting order in the upcoming tournament.

This suggestion comes after Babar was recently moved to open the innings in the tri-nation series due to an injury to Saim Ayub.

However, his performance in this new role has been underwhelming, with low scores of 10, 23 and 29 in the recently concluded tri-series matches.

For the unversed, Babar has been the mainstay for Pakistan for several years in the ODI format, scoring the bulk of runs.

However, his last One Day International century came against Nepal in the 2023 Asia Cup. It is pertinent to note here that the star batter opened the batting last in 2015, the same year he made his ODI debut.

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In his two outings as an opener that year, he scored 4 and 22 runs, respectively.

Babar Azam primarily plays at No. 3, a batting position where he has amassed 5,957 runs in 123 ODIs at an average of 56, with 19 centuries and 23 fifties.

Mohammad Hafeez feels that Pakistan has other capable openers who could partner with Fakhar Zaman in the Champions Trophy.

In a post on X, Hafeez suggested either of Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq or Abdullah Shafique to open the inning with Fakhar Zaman in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Hafeez emphasized that moving Azam back to No. 3 would “make things easier for everyone” and optimize the team’s batting lineup for the crucial tournament.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: ‘A big innings is coming’ Aqib Javed backs Babar Azam ahead of Champions Trophy

Mohammad Hafeez calls out India over refusal to tour Pakistan for Champions Trophy

Former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over their refusal to tour Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the February- March window in 2025, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain.

Previously, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), that Team India will not be visiting Pakistan for the tournament citing security concerns.

Additionally, on Sunday, sources confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the Indian government is not ready to allow their cricket team to travel to Pakistan.

The news of India’s refusal was not well received by many former cricketers in Pakistan, including Mohammad Hafeez.

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The former Pakistan captain took his official X (formerly Twitter) account and criticised India’s decision. He took a subtle dig by stating that Pakistan is secure for every team but ‘somehow not *secure* for India.’

The 44-year-old also urged the PCB to take a strong stance against India with support from the government.

“It was a day dream that India will come to Pakistan to play [the] Champions Trophy 2025,” Mohammad Hafeez posted.

“Pakistan is safe & ready to host the event. Pakistan [has been] hosting all cricket nations at home but somehow not *secure* for India. Waiting for strong & surprised response from government & PCB,” he added.

READ: ‘Pakistan should adopt Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup stance in Champions Trophy’

Mohammad Hafeez reacts to Pakistan’s victory in second ODI against Australia

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez reacted to the national team’s dominant victory against Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series in Adelaide.

Pakistan pacers wreaked havoc and bundled Australia for a meagre 163, with Haris Rauf taking his second five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.

In response, Pakistan successfully chased the target in 26.3 overs at the loss of one wicket only and levelled the three-match series 1-1.

Saim Ayub led Pakistan’s chase with a 71-ball knock of 82 runs, which featured five boundaries and six sixes. Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique scored an unbeaten 64 runs from 69 balls with the help of four boundaries and three sixes.

Following Pakistan’s victory, Mohammad Hafeez took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account and extended his heartfelt congratulations to the team. He also praised Haris, Saim and Abdullah for their vital contributions to the team’s thumping victory.

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“Congratulations team Pakistan for winning ODI clinically in Australia. Levelling the series 1-1,” Hafeez posted.

“Haris Rauf superb bowling for his five-wicket haul. Saim Ayub & Abdullah Shafique getting confidence scoring runs for winning cause. Well done guys. Let’s win the ODI series in Australia.”

In a previous post, he praised the pacers for their exceptional bowling performance in the first innings and commended Mohammad Rizwan’s leadership.

“Pakistani fast bowler roaring in Australia. Hitting the right area with aggression & discipline. Australian batting line-up looked completely shambled,” he posted.

“Well bowled for his fiver Haris Rauf. Good bowling Shaheen Afridi. Good captaincy Mohammad Rizwan.”

READ: Champions Trophy: PCB chairman responds to India’s refusal to visit Pakistan

Hafeez says Pakistan lost ‘winning formula’ after home ground transition

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez commented on the national team’s inability to benefit from the home conditions, specifically in Tests, stating that they have lost the ‘winning formula’.

Pakistan last won a Test at home in February 2021 and has been devoid of a win since then. The national team’s struggles at home, intensified when they succumbed to a 2-0 Test series defeat against Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan men’s cricket team director Hafeez, in an interview with a local news channel, termed Bangladesh the deserved winner.

“At the international level, you can not consider anyone weak. Bangladesh deserved to win in Pakistan because of their mindset, body language, the way they played positive cricket and their management made good decisions,” said Hafeez.

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Mohammad Hafeez also highlighted Pakistan’s inability to dominate at their home ground because they have lost the ‘winning formula’ after making a transition from their adopted home, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“Unfortunately, Pakistan is missing the formula to win at home in Pakistan. We had acquired the winning formula at Pakistan’s adopted home which was UAE,” said Hafeez.

“We won the Test mace and became the top-ranked team because we had the formula to win at home.

“Since cricket returned to Pakistan, that formula is missing and nobody managed to attain it back.”

Mohammad Hafeez further highlighted the infrastructural difference between Pakistan and their adopted home UAE, terming the deplorable conditions of the pitches as one of the main reasons behind Pakistan’s inability to benefit from their home conditions like Australia, England and India.

READ: Former pacer believes Kirsten’s report led to Babar’s resignation

Hasan Ali reacts to Hafeez’s claims regarding players sleeping in dressing room

Pakistan’s right-arm pacer Hasan Ali responded to Mohammad Hafeez’s claims regarding the national players sleeping in the dressing amid the away Test series against Australia.

Hafeez, who served as Pakistan men’s cricket team Director from November 2023 to February 2024 and also as the interim head coach, lambasted the national players after Pakistan’s group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 and highlighted that they lack discipline.

In a conversation with renowned cricketing figures, England’s Michael Vaughan and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, Hafeez claimed that the players used to sleep in the dressing room during Test matches.

“You tell me, Gilly [Gilchrist] if a player is sleeping in the dressing room while we’re playing Test cricket. 4-5 players are sleeping in the dressing room. Should I allow that as a team director?” Hafeez questioned.

Vaughan wittily asked, “Are they tired?” to which Hafeez continued with a serious tone, “I really don’t know. I went into the dressing room and found 4-5 players sleeping while playing Test cricket. I was like, ‘How come you guys can do that?’ If you do something like this, you cannot be a part of this team.”

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Meanwhile, Hasan Ali, in an interview denied Mohammad Hafeez’s claims before going on to share that the previous management had allowed players, especially fast bowlers, to take naps if needed to recover.

“I don’t know, actually, but it should be the way Hafeez said. I don’t think anyone slept in the dressing room after that. When Hafeez said that I was not part of the first game, all the players who were not part of the playing XI were sitting in the dugout watching the game. Even the management was sitting there. But I would say especially for the fast bowlers, when you bowl for one and a half days you need to recover, and you could take a 20-30 minute nap, but for those who feel like they need,” Hasan said.

“In the past, the management set the rule that if someone needed a nap for recovery, especially the fast bowlers, they could do that. But if Hafeez, as the head coach and director of Cricket, said no one was going to sleep, then fair enough. If he set the rule, we had to follow it,” he added.

READ: Shoaib Malik backs THIS batter as Pakistan’s next white-ball captainhttps://a-sports.tv/shoaib-malik-fakhar-zaman-pakistan-captain/

Mohammad Hafeez reveals players’ shocking behaviour during his tenure

Former Pakistan men’s cricket team Director Mohammad Hafeez revealed a shocking tale of the players’ behaviour and approach during his tenure.

Hafeez, who served in the role from November 2023 to February 2024 and also as the interim head coach, lambasted the national players after Pakistan’s group-stage exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 and highlighted that they lack discipline.

In a conversation with renowned cricketing figures, England’s Michael Vaughan and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, Hafeez claimed that the players used to be sleeping in dressing room during Test matches.

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Mohammad Hafeez then reiterated the importance of focus while playing professional cricket, asserting that he never interfered in players’ personal lives and only wanted them to stay focused during their professional timings.

“I want you guys to stay focused during the game and off the game, whatever you guys do, it is your own life; I never get involved in it. But in the professional timings of the game, I want you guys to focus on the game,” he continued.

“Stay in touch. If you are a fast bowler, you can have a rest and a good ice bath, but you need to concentrate on the game of cricket, like how the other team is also doing. You cannot switch yourself off during the game, but unfortunately, the media didn’t like it,” he concluded.

READ: Former India cricketer accuses selector Wahab Riaz of ‘favouritism’

Mohammad Hafeez backs Pakistan bowlers, wants batters to step up

Former Pakistan men’s cricket team Director Mohammad Hafeez threw his weight behind the star-studded Pakistan pace bowling attack and instead advised the batting unit to adapt to the modern-day intent.

Hafeez appeared in ARY News’ show Sports Room and commented on Pakistan pacers’ below-par performance in the recently-concluded three-match away series against Ireland.

For the unversed, Ireland chased down 183 with a ball to spare in the series opener and registered a massive total of 193/7 in the second match.

The home side was then curtailed to a modest total of 178/7, courtesy of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s astounding bowling figures of 3/14. However, his fellow pacer Hasan Ali went for aplenty in the same fixture, conceding 42 runs in four overs.

But Mohammad Hafeez insisted that the Pakistan bowlers can not be blamed since the teams have adopted the flair of modern-day batting, in which the national men’s team is left well behind.

“I think, you can’t blame bowlers much because the other teams have adopted the batting intent of the modern-day cricket really well.

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“We are still well behind. And, even if you call Ireland or the inexperienced New Zealand team which toured Pakistan, weak. Their intent was up to the international standard.

“We are still finding the winning formula by being stuck in the older zone. Players remain the same, they don’t change but you evolve with the game.

“So, the game [of cricket] especially batting has evolved worldwide and the [rest of the] world is playing their cricket accordingly.

“I think we are well behind in adapting to such intent or maybe we are afraid of trying that.

“Bowlers conceding runs in today’s cricket, because of innovation, is not a big deal. Every team has developed a different shot range and we are unable to do that. So, I wouldn’t be harsh for the bowlers.”

Mohammad Hafeez then specifically lauded ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s recent triumphs against New Zealand and Ireland but insisted that the national side need to step up their attitude.

“The two matches we won against New Zealand and here [against Ireland] were because of Shaheen’s good bowling. So, I think, we need to step up in terms of bowling attitude and execution but still, if we don’t improvise our batting intent then we can’t criticize our bowling.”

READ: Mohammad Hafeez thinks Pakistan “will struggle” in T20 World Cup 2024

Mohammad Hafeez thinks Pakistan “will struggle” in T20 World Cup 2024

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez shared his opinion on Pakistan’s campaign in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, stating that the former champions will struggle in the mega event considering their current performance.

Hafeez appeared in ARY News’ show Sports Room and revealed where he foresees the Green Shirts in the 20-team mega event.

“Look, as a Pakistani, my heart will always remain in the favour of Pakistan regardless of their performance. But, considering the facts, I think the Pakistan team will struggle,” stated Hafeez.

“The only reason behind that is they are not ready in terms of the right formation and the mindset. Also, their roles are not defined yet like a controlled team,” he added.

Mohammad Hafeez further named his semi-finalists for the T20 World Cup 2024, including Pakistan despite claiming that the 2009 champions would struggle in the tournament.

“Look, I would say the same thing again, if I were to say what my heart wants, I would pick Pakistan first. If I consider tactics and right formation then I think India can perform better in the West Indies.

“West Indies themselves could perform better there and alongside them, England could perform really well.”

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Mohammad Hafeez then went on to term the national men’s team’s recent performances “below-par” when they settled for a 2-2 home series stalemate against an inexperienced New Zealand side and a 2-1 away series victory against Ireland after succumbing to a shock loss in the series opener.

“Look, the lead-up wasn’t good, like 2-2 against New Zealand at home wasn’t in Pakistan’s favour. It is by no means justifiable. You just can’t do that because it was Pakistan’s full-strength side.

“Unfortunately, the results we were hoping for, as fans, did not come.

“Pakistan then went to Ireland. There as well, Pakistan fielded a full-fledged side. But, after losing the first game, their recovery was very good. Like, the attitude they showed to win that series.

“At a certain stage, it seemed as if Pakistan would not be able to win this series. But their comeback was strong.

“They have every player in their arsenal but unfortunately, as of now, such mindset, body language and dominance, which we think Pakistan should have achieved, were not attained,” Hafeez concluded.

READ: Shaheen Afridi aims to win T20 World Cup, denies rift within team