9th February 2010

With 11 tests and 48 ODI, Mohammad Hafeez is one player who over the years seems to divide fans. There are those that strongly believe he is one half of the solution to our opening dilemma and then there are those that think he has been given enough opportunities to make his mark. Notwithstanding his international stats, Hafeez continues to be a success on the domestic front and it was no surprise that he was given another chance to lead Pakistan A on their tour to UAE this month.

The squad contains a nice blend of exciting youngsters such as Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Talha, Naved Yasin and Abid Ali as well as some old experienced heads such as Abdur Rehman, Aamer Sajjad and Mohammad Hafeez himself. With the addition of the Pakistan U19’s successful coach Ijaz Ahmed, much is expected of this A team which will be playing 8 limited over fixtures against the hosts UAE, English Lions and the full Pakistan team.

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net after leading his SNGPL team to the silverwares in the RBS Pentangular Cup Final, Hafeez was in an upbeat mood leading into another international assignment. “All the players selected for this tour have done quite well in the Domestic tournament” he stated.

Hafeez had particular praise directed towards Abdur Rehman from the opposition Habib Bank team who were runners up in the competition. In fact Hafeez feels Rehman should be Pakistan’s premier spin bowler. “Ajmal is a good bowler but he is more effective in short version cricket. Ajmal is a containing bowler and he takes wickets when batsmen try to dominate him. I believe Rehman should get a proper chance in tests.” Rehman played 2 tests against South Africa in 2007 and performed admirably with 11 wickets. “He has been playing domestic cricket for over a decade and has matured a lot.” Hafeez further stated, “Pakistan has given so many chances to Kaneria in tests, why not try Abdur Rehman as well?”

Hafeez who has hit 2 test centuries feels he still has something to offer Pakistan. “Allah has given me lots of talent and thus far I have not able to achieve the results I would have wanted. However I do not believe I have been that poor either. If you look at the opportunities I have had, most of my innings have been outside the subcontinent and more often than not I have outscored the other opener in the series.”

With his handy off spin, Hafeez has often been called upon to keep an end tight in limited over games. “I am a utility player and with me in the squad, Pakistan can afford to play 6 batsmen as I can complete 10 overs with a good economy rate. I think Pakistan is missing an all rounder from their ODI team and I am sure if given the chance I can fill that role.”

In regards to who else he feels in the current squad is close to making the transition to the full international squad, Hafeez says “it’s the management who will know better but as far as I think, there are 4 players who can be in close contention – myself, Aamir Sajjad, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Talha.”

Amer Sajjad who has been named vice-captain for the tour, is one who has impressed selectors this season after averaging 72.52 from 13 matches. “Amer Sajjad is a completed middle order batsman with a very good technique He can play one day and test matches. He is the best middle order batsman in the Pakistani domestic circuit at the moment and has the experience from playing domestic cricket for 10 years. In my opinion he can serve Pakistan’s middle order with good success.”

The younger Naved Yasin is one batsmen who has got a big fan following on PakPassion after his impressive domestic stats and many here believe he is destined for greater success. Hafeez has yet to see the stylish left hander, but himself is excited about his prospects. He stated “I have spoken to a few close contacts whose input I respect and they have praised Naved Yasin a great deal.”

On the bowling front, Mohammad Talha will no doubt be the spearhead for this attack along with Wahab Riaz. Hafeez feels he is a good chance to add to his solitary test match. “Mohammad Talha is another bowler who I think can break into the Pakistani team. I am not sure about his fitness at the moment but definitely he is one to watch out for.”

The other fast bowler, Tabish Khan is a somewhat unknown in the squad. The 25 year old right hand pacer still needs to improve his game Hafeez feels. “He is a good bowler but I don’t feel he is international class just yet. I have played for Pakistan and played all over the world and I feel I am able to determine who is ready for the next step up in class. When I played against Mohammad Aamir in domestic cricket, immediately I knew that he will one day soon be playing for Pakistan. Tabish needs to continue to work really hard.”

On the hot topic of who is best to lead Pakistan following a disastrous tour to Australia, Hafeez believes it is more than captaincy which needs to be looked at. “Captaincy is not a problem, whether it’s Younis, Yousuf or Afridi. All of them can lead the team. Problem is management. We don’t have management who can control the players and discipline them. With better management we will go a long way towards solving the problem.”

The tour kicks off on Feb 9 with a game against the hosts UAE at Sharjah Stadium.