Former Pakistan men’s cricket team Director Mohammad Hafeez revealed a shocking tale of the players’ behaviour and approach during his tenure.
Hafeez, who served in the role from November 2023 to February 2024 and also as the interim head coach, lambasted the national players after Pakistan’s group-stage exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 and highlighted that they lack discipline.
In a conversation with renowned cricketing figures, England’s Michael Vaughan and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, Hafeez claimed that the players used to be sleeping in dressing room during Test matches.
“You tell me, Gilly [Gilchrist] if a player is sleeping in the dressing room while we’re playing Test cricket. 4-5 players are sleeping in the dressing room. Should I allow that as a team director?” Hafeez questioned.
Vaughan wittily asked, “Are they tired?” to which Hafeez continued with a serious tone, “I really don’t know. I went into the dressing room and found 4-5 players sleeping while playing Test cricket. I was like, ‘How come you guys can do that?’ If you do something like this, you cannot be a part of this team.”
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Mohammad Hafeez then reiterated the importance of focus while playing professional cricket, asserting that he never interfered in players’ personal lives and only wanted them to stay focused during their professional timings.
“I want you guys to stay focused during the game and off the game, whatever you guys do, it is your own life; I never get involved in it. But in the professional timings of the game, I want you guys to focus on the game,” he continued.
“Stay in touch. If you are a fast bowler, you can have a rest and a good ice bath, but you need to concentrate on the game of cricket, like how the other team is also doing. You cannot switch yourself off during the game, but unfortunately, the media didn’t like it,” he concluded.
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