PAK vs AUS: Mohammad Hafeez Threatens To Fine Pakistan Players For Being Lazy On Field - Reports

Pakistan Cricket Team Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Mohammad Hafeez, reportedly has introduced a strict rule for the players on the ongoing Australia tour. The Shan Masood-led side are currently playing the second Test of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). 

As per the reports in Pakistan Cricket, it is learned that Director of Cricket Mohammad Hafeez has told players that if anyone appears lazy or lethargic on the field, he will fine them. The former Pakistan skipper will be penalizing the players with USD 500 if they don’t give their 100% on the field

The reports have suggested that most of Pakistan players are unhappy with Mohammad Hafeez’s decision and aren’t happy with the development. Although there’s no official confirmation on it but it appears to be true because the Pakistan team has undergone quite a few changes in the system since the ICC World Cup 2023.

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فاختہ نے بتایا ہے کہ آسٹریلیا دورے کے دوران ٹیم ڈائریکٹر صاحب نے کھلاڑیوں کو وارننگ دی ہے اور واضح کہا ہے کہ گراونڈ میں کوئی بھی کھلاڑی سوئے گا نہیں اور نہ ہی ٹیم سے جدا ہوگا… ورنہ…. تھانیدار صاحب کھلاڑیوں کو جرمانہ کرینگے وہ بھی 500 ڈالر ??#PakistanCricket… pic.twitter.com/wYNOOG8mGm

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) December 26, 2023

Mohammad Hafeez’s strict act comes after Pakistan’s torrid outing in the first Test against Australia in Perth, where they suffered a thrashing loss of 360 runs. The Shan Masood-led side looked down and dusted and they were blown away. 

Pakistan looked clueless with both bat and ball in the game. After a torrid outing with the bat, it was expected that they would keep things tight with the ball. But it wasn’t the case as they looked rusty with the ball as well and also were sloppy on the field. 

Pakistan’s body language wasn’t great and they dropped quite a few catches as well. They didn’t give their best on the field and that was one of the main reasons behind their average outing in the first innings. 

With Mohammad Hafeez imposing strict restrictions, this might well force players to give their best in the next two games. Pakistan are in a do-or-die situation in the series as one more loss would mean another series defeat in Australia. They haven’t won a series down under for more than two decades.

PAK vs AUS: Pakistan end Day 1 of the MCG Test on a decent note 

Pakistan had a decent outing on Day 1 of the second Test against Australia at MCG. They won the toss and opted to field first. The pacers bowled some impeccable lines and lengths upfront and troubled the Australian batters at the start. However, they failed to pick wickets early on with the new ball. 

Usman Khawaja (42) and David Warner (38) negotiated the tricky phase well and added 90 runs for the opening stand. But they both lost their wickets after a decent start. After that, Marnus Labuschagne (44*) and Steve Smith (26) put in the hard yards. 

But during the fag end of the day, Smith lost his wicket. Hasan Ali, Aamer Jamal, and Agha Salman picked one wicket each as Pakistan restricted Australia to 187/3 at the stumps on Day 1. They would be hoping to pick early wickets on Day 2 and get Australia all out as early as they can. This will be a virtual series decider for the Shan Masood-led side and they would be hoping for a comeback.