Razzaq lashes out at Hafeez for World T20 semi-final snub
Abdul Razzaq takes part in a Pakistan training session in Colombo with Sohail Tanvir. Razzaq was replaced by Tanvir in the World T20 semi-final against Sri Lanka. – Photo by AFP
LAHORE: Veteran all-rounder Abdul Razzaq hit out at Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez for dropping him from the team in the semi-final of the World Twenty20 2012 against Sri Lanka, DawnNews reported on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters upon his return from Sri Lanka, Razzaq said that he was very disappointed after being left out of the playing eleven in the crucial match on Thursday. He was replaced by left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir in the match that Pakistan lost by 16 runs, allowing Sri Lanka to enter the final of the ICC event.
“It was Hafeez’s decision not to pick me for the semi-final, not anyone else’s,” Razzaq said.
Razzaq vented his anger on the captain by saying that he felt helpless when he saw the team losing against Sri Lanka but couldn’t help as he wasn’t picked in the team.
“Even Wasim Akram insisted that I should be picked for the match against Sri Lanka, but Hafeez decided against it,” Razzaq said, adding that Hafeez thinks of himself as being a better captain than Akram.
The Lahore-born all-rounder went on to say that the Sri Lankan team were wary of his presence in the Pakistan eleven for the semi-final.
Razzaq played one match during Pakistan’s World T20 2012 campaign, when he was picked in the Super Eight tie against Australia. He scored 22 runs in the match. The all-rounder was also part of the team in the two warm-up matches prior to the tournament.
The right-arm batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler made his debut for Pakistan in 1996 and has played 265 one-day internationals, 46 Tests and 30 T20 internationals for his country.
He was also part of Pakistan’s WorldT20 2009 winning squad.
Razzak is a great player, a genuine all-rounder, was the best in his hey-days. Totally unbecoming of him to criticise his captain. I am sure Afridi was chosen over him, because he is a spinner and has a far better track record against SL. Request all Pakistanis to stop the witch-hunt. Don’t forget that the Pakistan team does not even have the opportunity to play in Pakistan. They are also a very young team. Cut them some slack!
The ultimate oppurtunist. Knowing that public sentiment is negative after the loss. He takes this oppurtunity to settle his score against hafeez. This is exactly the attitude that has lead us down the drain. How come we never heard from the likes of David Hussey questioning the captain or the management as to why he was not selected (he is the most expereienced T20 player in the Australian squad). This really shows that razzaq thinks he is bigger than the team. If one is a team player he sticks by the team in good times and bad times. Isnt he the same Razzaq who declared himself unfit for national selection and then went on to play Bangladesh premier league where he was bowling , batting at full throttle ?
I think there is a reason for stop-start career of Abdul Razzaq since 2003. One thing is for certain that he is not good fielder and does not posses a very sharp mind. I would back Hafeez at this time. Remember we need stability in the leadership in Pakistani team. Other teams have also stuck with their less than ideal captains resulting in transformation of the team in a matter of few years due to stability and continuity of policies. I believe Razzaq, Afridi, Nazir, Arafat and Malik are all items of past. We should look beyond them now.
Absolutely Razzaq should have replaced Shahid Afridi and some youngster should have replaced Shoaib Malik. These men have done wonders for the nation now it’s time to go home. The cliche spent bullets comes to mind. It is because of this extra luggage that we lost, truly so. have a look at their performance. The captain only carries them around because he doesn’t have the confidence to go it alone.
Razaaq is abettor player then that no good sohail if Razaaq played it would made a big different to the game because he is a good all rounder.in Pakistan not what you know who you know.???
Time to get rid of half the team including Hafeez.
I guess he s too old now, should be retiring, because he could not end up as a captian, then his performance is not consistant. But he was better for this tournament.
No need to criticize Hafeez as he led the team throughout the tournment,the entire team is to be blamed for this defeat
I do feel that Shoaib Malik continued to be the spoiler in the team. I can’t justify his selection, period. He is the new Imran Farhat in the team. As much as Mr Zaka Ashraf talks about progress, let’s see if he addresses this funk in the middle order by emphasizing performance-based selection.
Unacceptable indeed. Razzaq has no business speaking his mind out in public. Sohail Tanveer’s selection clearly paid off. So, Hafeez has been vindicated. Razzaq could be a first ball out, we’ll just never know.
I do think Razzaq should have been selected in the playing 11, but I do not endorse Razzaq’s outburst. The captain is there for a reason, its not appropriate to outburst like this. He should have vented his views to Hafeez in one2one or a one2one with the “management” instead of seeking sympathy from the media.
Agreed…
Now the musical chair start. Why after every loss you change your captain. There are so many captain in your team and no dedicated player. Dhoni losses 4 tests in England, 4 tests in Australia, ODI in England and Australia and T20 World Cup. Still he is the best captain in India. Why? we can see from his body language that he wants to give 200% for his country. Thats true captain and dedicated player which pakistan team is lacking.
Whether Hafeez is bad captain or not, Razzaq has absolutely no business venting his frsutration in public. He is not bigger than team. Should be punished severely.
I would not second you thoughts of punishment. I was also badly surprised that Razzaq wasn’t selected in the final 11 in most matches. Come on guys, someone with his credentials and his caliber should’ve been an automatic choice.
What a waste.
Uh no the Misbah school of thought is what has brought us back to respectability the last year and a half….stop finding faults in Misbah even when he’s not playing, this is needed right now, we cant continue to have a gung ho mentality when we have no established or consistent performers. Razzaq should have definitely played over Mailk no doubt but public outbursts are never good.
Seriously we got to get rid of this Misbah school of thought captaincy Hafeez is seriously a bad captain