Razzaq issued show-cause notice for criticising Hafeez
ABdul Razzaq was not selected for the semi-final of the World Twenty20. -Photo by AFP
KARACHI: Pakistan cricket chiefs Tuesday ordered veteran all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to explain himself after he publicly criticised skipper Mohammed Hafeez for dropping him for the World Twenty20 semi-final.
The 32-year-old was replaced by fast bowler Sohail Tanveer for Pakistan’s semi-final defeat against Sri Lanka last week, a decision which Hafeez said was unanimous.
But when the team returned to Pakistan on Saturday, Razzaq blasted the captain for acting alone.
“I was disappointed sitting outside while the team was losing the match,” Razzaq said.
“I know the team management didn’t drop me, it was Hafeez who left me out. He should speak up and admit his decision.”
Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said Razzaq had breached the player’s code of conduct, which forbids players from speaking to the media without prior permission from the board.
“Razzaq has violated the code of conduct and we have served him a show-cause notice. He has seven days to answer the notice,” Sarwar told AFP.
Razzaq made 22 in Pakistan’s Super Eights match in the World Twenty20, his only appearance in the tournament.
West Indies beat hosts Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday to lift the trophy.
I was very surprised that Razzaq did not play in the semi finals. However, Razzaq needs to respect the code. Razzaq should apoligise to Hafeez and do whatever is required by PCB. We all need to move on. PCB needs to focus on the challenges and provide the necessary resources to overcome them. As an avid cricket fan the challenge is very obvious…… Our middle order batting fails…. Same challenge as the 1992 world cup. Imran khan recognized that and fixed it by batting first down. Imran and Javed Miandad stablized the innings and I think that is what is required. One would say T-20 is different but the issue is the same. Our middle order just seems to collapse and that is really what needs to be resolved. This challenge will take some time but we will get there.
Common on Razzaq is as disappointed as rest of the country he mad the comment about Hafiz may be there is some truth to it but does it matter WI are the winner. For his comment Razzaq should be disciplined but in my book I don’t see any problem with his Razzaq’s comment. Hafiz made some horrible decisions but it was the collective poor batting by senior batsman that caused the the loss and not just Hafiz.
yea razaaq shouldn’t speak openly in public but i guess he is right in case of selection he should be selected in a match against sirilanka , as he is very effective against them if we see his prior record.
whether he was selected or not razzaq should not in any case criticize captain openly in the public . its totally immature act from very senior cricketor like razzaq. also playing tanveer is not a bad decision either he bowled well in the match.
He did that out of frustration. Totally understandable, specially when the media asked him and why do we have close doors selection? I want hafiz to answer why Afridi was played throughout the tournament and Razzaq was given One Chance despite the fact he did well?
Captain’s decision must be respected. He can’t be on the winning side all the time. Tanvir is equally good player. It’s utter indiscipline from Razzaq. PCB is right otherwise every player will start criticizing captain for one reason or the other.