"You are complaining about your team's matters on international platforms" - Salman Butt slams Mohammad Hafeez's criticism of Pakistan
Former Pakistan opener Salman Butt lashed out at his fellow countryman Mohammad Hafeez for discussing issues of the national team on an internatonal platform. Butt slammed Hafeez for not taking requisite actions when he was the men's team's director, suggesting that complaining now is unproductive.
Hafeez recently made an appearance on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast and spoke to Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan. The 43-year-old recalled how low the players' fitness levels were, claiming that they used to sleep in the dressing room during Test matches.
Reacting to this on YouTube show Cricket Baithak, 39-year-old Butt blamed the former all-rounder for not taking matters into his own hands and later complaining on international platforms.
Butt said (via Hindustan Times):
"Maybe, he is saying as it is. But whose job was it to ensure that? You are complaining about your team's matters on international platforms. You were team director. It was your job to pick the right people. You picked those people who, on their own, may never be there. You didn't take fitness tests. Who stopped you? Or should I call it incompetence or lack of control? They were your juniors. You couldn't take the tests?"
Hafeez was in-charge of the men's side for the Test tour of Australia and the T20I series in New Zealand. Out of the eight games, Pakistan managed only one win.
"I don't know what to agree with or what not to" - Salman Butt
Adding to his criticism, the ex-southpaw felt Hafeez should have addressed these concerns during his tenure and asked for more control. He added:
"You're ranting to Adam (Gilchrist), 'I wanted to do this and do that, but they didn't listen to me. I was the team director.'For god's sake, what were you trying to do? No one leaves their job until they're sacked. Now, you go to an international platform and start complaining there. Why didn't you say that when you were here? Why didn't you ask for more power and backing? I don't know what to agree with or what not to. When someone else played Amir, he was a criminal. But it's fine when you call him yourself."
Pakistan are facing massive criticism following their group-stage exit from T20 World Cup 2024.