Mohammad Hafeez Deserves The Same Status That Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, And Misbah-ul-Haq Received In The Past: Younis Khan

Pakistan national cricket team batting coach Younis Khan has said that veteran batsman Mohammad Hafeez deserves the same status in Pakistani cricket as greats like Inzamam-Ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Misbah-Ul-Haq did. Younis also said that Hafeez deserves a grand farewell when he decides to hang up his gloves.

40-year-old Hafeez will not be playing in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa after a disagreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board on bio-bubble issues. Hafeez, who was playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 league, had requested permission to enter the Pakistan team bio-bubble later than the stipulated date of February 3. But he was refused permission to do so and was not picked for the T20I series.

Mohammad Hafeez Deserves Every Bit Of Legend Status As Greats Of The Past: Younis Khan

Speaking about the contributions of the all-rounder to Pakistan cricket, his one-time teammate Younis Khan lauded Mohammad Hafeez, who had made his international cricket 2003. Thus far, he had played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 99 T20I matches for the Men in Green. Hafeez had scored 3652 Test runs with 10 centuries, 6614 runs in ODIs with 11 centuries, and 2323 runs in T20Is with 14 half-centuries.

“We would definitely miss him for the series against South Africa starting today (Thursday). Hafeez himself is the best judge in this regard. Once he decides on his retirement, we would be giving him a tremendous send-off. He deserves the same status that Inzamam, Younis, and Misbah received in the past. He has performed outstandingly so we will definitely miss him in the T20 series. He wants to play T20 World Cup or not, the decision rests with Hafeez now,” Younis Khan was quoted by Sportskeeda.

Rameez Raja slams Mohammad Hafeez for preferring T10 league over Pakistan

Though Younis Khan lauded Mohammad Hafeez for his contributions to Pakistan cricket, as the all-rounder has also taken a total of 246 wickets in international cricket as well; the same sentiments were not shared by former captain Rameez Raja. The cricketer-turned-commentator slammed Hafeez for preferring the T10 league over international cricket for his national team Pakistan.

“Among those playing in T10 League, Asif Ali is coming but not Mohammad Hafeez because he doesn’t want to end his contract. This shows the level of thinking because, considering the situation, we should be prepared to follow the necessary protocols even if there are last-minute changes. One should think about Pakistan instead of being selfish because nobody will back you,” said Raja.

The 40-year-old starred with the bat in Pakistan’s last T20I series in New Zealand. Hafeez scored 140 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 160.9.

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