Hafeez Slams Pakistan's Domestic Cricket Debacle

In a candid interview with Cricket Pakistan, former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has launched a scathing critique of the country’s national team selection process, raising significant concerns about the disregard for domestic cricket performances. Hafeez’s comments have reignited the debate surrounding the transparency and fairness of player selection in Pakistani cricket.

The crux of Hafeez’s criticism lies in the recall of players like Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, and Usman Khan to the national team, despite their extended absence from domestic cricket. According to Hafeez, Amir and Wasim had not participated in domestic competitions for several years, yet they were remarkably drafted back into the national squad.

“We have two players, Imad and Amir, who have not played domestic cricket for many years, they were brought back in the team. Amir hasn’t played domestic cricket for 3-4 years, and he had taken retirement, however he was also brought back,” Hafeez lamented, questioning the rationale behind such selections.

Hafeez’s skepticism extended to Imad Wasim’s inclusion, highlighting the all-rounder’s apparent reluctance to represent Pakistan and his preference for playing in lucrative league competitions. “Imad Wasim, who hasn’t played domestic cricket and was sitting on TV, he said that he didn’t want to play cricket for Pakistan because when I talked to him, he had some objections and in his opinion, he was hard done by the last management because he didn’t get fair chances. So when I talked to him and told him that whatever has happened has happened, we will look after you going forward, you play for Pakistan, he said no, he wants to play leagues, but he was brought back,” Hafeez revealed.

Hafeez also expressed his admiration for Usman Khan’s talent but questioned the rationale behind his selection, given his lack of involvement in Pakistan’s domestic cricket system. “I have great respect for Usman Khan’s talent, but he is not part of Pakistan’s system,” Hafeez remarked, emphasizing the potential demotivating impact such decisions could have on the thousands of cricketers dedicating themselves to domestic cricket with aspirations of representing their country.

Hafeez’s criticism strikes at the heart of the longstanding debate surrounding the transparency and fairness of player selection in Pakistani cricket. His remarks highlight the perceived disconnect between domestic cricket performance and national team selection, casting doubt on the criteria employed by the management.

“How will you motivate thousands of cricketers in the domestic circuit who work day and night and play domestic cricket when your selection criteria is not based on domestic cricket performance? That’s why I tweeted that after the inclusion of these three players, you have killed your domestic cricket,” Hafeez concluded, underscoring the potential detrimental effects of such decisions on the grassroots level of the sport.

Hafeez’s outspoken stance has reignited discussions surrounding the need for a more transparent and merit-based selection process that values domestic cricket performances. As Pakistan’s cricketing establishment grapples with these concerns, the onus lies on them to address the issues raised and restore confidence in the system, ensuring that the aspirations of countless domestic cricketers are not undermined.