New Delhi: Pakistan players continue to face the heat from all corners following the team’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Babar Azam & Co. were one of the favourites heading into the showpiece event but failed to make it past their group in what was one of their worst-ever performances in a T20 World Cup.
Several former Pakistan players have ripped into the Babar-led side following their disastrous campaign in the tournament. Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has also been vocal in the criticism of the Pakistan players and has demanded accountability from the team management and the PCB among others.
Hafeez recently shared a shocking anecdote while slamming the Pakistan player for their shambolic attitude during his appearance on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast alongside former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist and former England skipper Michael Vaughan. Hafeez, who served as Pakistan’s director of cricket, revealed he caught a few players sleeping in the dressing room, during a Test match.
Hafeez revealed he was shocked to find the players sleeping inside the dressing room during his visit and told them it was unacceptable. When asked if the players were sleeping because they were tried, Hafeez said he had no idea but was shocked to find them dozing off in the dressing room.
“I really don’t know. I went into the dressing room and found four-five players are sleeping in the dressing room 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. I want you guys to stay focussed during the game,” Hafeez said on the podcast.
You cannot switch off during a game: Hafeez
The former Pakistan all-rounder said as the team director he never interfered in the personal lives of the players. However, he didn’t want them to switch off during a game. Hafeez said he was criticised in the media for being a strict disciplinarian for his actions against the Pakistan players.
“Off the game, whatever the guys do, it is their own life, I never get involved in it. But in professional timings of the game, I want the team guys to focus on the game. Stay in touch. If you are a fast bowler, you can have a rest, 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 (in Pakistan) didn’t like it,” Hafeez added.
Hafeez’s revelation comes at a time when Pakistan players are facing criticism from many over the poor fitness standards and the skillset in the team. Recently, reports claimed that Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten had questioned the unity in the Pakistan squad and their fitness standards following their exit from the T20 World Cup 2024.
Former Pakistan all-rounder and the ex-director of the Pakistan cricket team, Mohammad Hafeez made a shocking revelation as he slammed the Pakistani players over their poor attitude following their exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
