Hafeez becomes Afridi’s go-to man
“All I want to do is continue this form for Pakistan, and I am very happy to contribute to the team's performance, which is required in the remaining matches for us to be able to win the series.” -Photo by AFP
GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia: Mohammad Hafeez said he has drawn on the confidence placed in him by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, particularly when he been given a chance to bowl in recent matches.
Hafeez was speaking after he earned the Man-of-the-Match award in the first One-day International against West Indies, which Pakistan won by eight wickets on Saturday at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
He took one for 36 from his allotted 10 overs, and played his part, along with Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, in strangling the scoring of the West Indies batsmen, as the home team struggled to 220 for six from their 50 overs, after choosing to bat.
“I think Shahid has been using me well in matches,” said Hafeez.
“Whenever he thinks there is a chance for me to exploit the conditions, he gives me the ball.
“Whenever I get a chance to bowl I try to restrict the batsmen, and I am getting wickets with that. I am always happy for the team when I bowl.”
Hafeez then opening the batting pummelled seven fours and one six in 54 from 45 deliveries to give Pakistan a flying start in their run chase.
“I have been batting more consistently because of the hard work I have been doing in practice sessions with the coaches,” he said.
“Right now, the advice that they have been giving is working out for me.
“All I want to do is continue this form for Pakistan, and I am very happy to contribute to the team’s performance, which is required in the remaining matches for us to be able to win the series.”
His hard work has caught the eye of Afridi, who hailed the way he has been playing in recent times.
“I’m very confident with the way Hafeez is contributing in the team,” said the Pakistan captain.
“I think he is a real team man, and he’s doing a great job with the ball and the bat.”
The third ODI will be played on Monday at the same ground.
Good job Mr. Hafeez. Keep up the good work!
Yes, but how long would it be before Kamran Akmal is brought back by the PCB?
Thank God we don't have Kamran Akmal anymore, otherwise we would have lost this match as well.
Watching and hearing Hafeez; it seems like he is content with his contribution of 30-50 runs. Being a follower of the game I feel that he has potential of being great rather than good but he is OK with being "just good". It is a job of our coaches supporting staff to identify the player's strength and prepare them not only on technical side of the game but mentally to be super fit. I noticed that when Zaheer Abbas was in form he would not be content with just a fifty; we would go for big one. With Hafeez I noticed that once he reaches 30-40 with elegance and grace he would kind of satisfied and play a loose shot to throw away his wicket. My advice to Hafeez is When you are in good form cash it with big score.
Khalid you are spot on. Anyone can predict his getting out after 30/40 . He plays wonderful shots, flurry of boundaries to reach 30-40 then he thinks his job is done and gets out. Coaches must make him understand his potential and go on for big scores. First 30/40 is the hardest thing to do in cricket but not converting this into a big score is a crime. His sudden funny shot in the semi-final against India infact broke the rythm of pakistani batting. Before playing that shot he was playing so well it was hard to believe that Hafeez could throw his wicket in semi-final in such a manner. He has all shots in the book and very pleasant to watch. He must carry on like current indian batsmen are doing.
Well said.
Also I think he now considers himself more of a bowler than a batsman (like Afridi).
He has the potential to score big and he ought to make good.
Him and the rest must realise that they are not playing the best team just now.