ICC World T20 2016: Mohammad Hafeez denies faking injury, alleges conspiracy
Senior Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has refuted allegations that he had been faking an injury to skip Pakistan’s final two matches at the World T20 and claimed that a conspiracy has been raised against him to keep him out of the Pakistan national team, IBN Live reports.
Hafeez shined in Pakistan’s World T20 opener against Bangladesh with a solid 64 but sat out of the games against New Zealand and Australia as Pakistan went crashing out of the tournament with a solitary win from its four matches to add to a disappointing outing at the Asia Cup.
Reports had emerged from some quarters that Hafeez was feigning injury in a deliberate effort to sit out of matches – claims which have evoked a severe reaction from the 35-year-old, who blasted those who are questioning his commitment to the Pakistan national team.
"Only mentally sick people can think like this or talk about groupings in the team which is totally wrong. have always played for Pakistan and I am a true patriot," Hafeez told the media on his return from India. "I have always tried to give my best for the country but some people just want to damage my reputation with such fabricated stories."
Hafeez also claimed that he is ready to produce medical proof should anyone still doubt his credentials.
"I have MRI reports to prove to everyone that my injury was a genuine one due to which I couldn't play. People spreading baseless rumors should first look at those reports," he said.
It is not the first time though that Hafeez has faced issues over his fitness. During the 2015 World Cup, Hafeez was sent home from Australia by the team management despite the batsman’s assertions that he was likely to be fit in time for the later stages of the tournament.
Regardless of how this episode pans out, the Pakistan team’s woeful performances have come in for much criticism with former cricketers calling for wholesale changes to the squad. In addition to their on-field woes, reports of team disharmony have been doing the rounds as well with Umar Akmal’s unhappiness at batting lower down the order becoming public.
The PCB have already started doing the repair work with the removal of Shahid Afridi as skipper and is unlikely to persist with coach Waqar Younis once his contract runs out in June. Afridi is unlikely to find a place in the team as a player either while the other senior pros like Shoaib Malik and Hafeez are also likely to come under the scanner.