Mohammad Hafeez hits out at Pakistani media for spreading 'negative propaganda' about him

Upset with the theories floating around, Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez has lashed out at the Pakistani media for spreading 'negative propaganda' about him and questioning the uncertainty surrounding his bowling action.

In an outspoken interview with Daily Jang from Birmingham, the 35-year old played down concerns regarding his inability to bowl and felt that he was good enough to merit a spot in the team with his batting skills.

Hafeez bellowed, “There is lot of negative propaganda about me in the media but I really don’t care but it does upset me when questions are raised about my cricketing credentials. Even when I was bowling, I had a very good batting record and average. So there is no extra pressure on me as a batsman just because I can’t bowl.”

Vehemently denying the insinuation of him carrying an injury, he noted, “There were doubts raised over the injury when I was ruled out of matches in the World T20 in India. Then, there were doubts raised about whether I was fit when I was picked for the England tour.”

Claiming that a slight discomfort in his knee had prevented him from preparing for the bowling action re-test, Hafeez exuded the confidence of obtaining the clearance ahead of the limited-overs series which follows the Tests.

The all-rounder revealed, “But now I’m very fit and I’ve started working on the bowling action because I’m keen to play a dual role in limited over series against England as it will be a tough one. I will try to do my best to get my bowling action cleared now from the ICC experts so that I can also bowl in the limited over series in England.”

Even though Pakistan started the England tour with a famous victory at Lord’s, they were brought crashing down to earth in the subsequent 330-run hammering in Manchester. Lamenting the scathing response by his country’s media to the proceedings, Hafeez pointed out that the series was still level 1-1.

He argued, “They were silenced and forced to acknowledge our performance but after we lost the Old Trafford test they are again out with the knives. But we acknowledge we played good cricket and couldn’t carry the momentum forward to the second test. But it does not mean we are out of the series.”

When asked by his personal form with the bat, the right-hander quipped, “But I am not worried about it because in cricket the big innings will come if you are feeling good out in the middle. But those who say I am only a batsman on Asian pitches are wrong that I am technically weak. That is not the case. Any batsmen can get out in the slips.”