Without mincing any words, Mohammad Hafeez slammed the Pakistani media for accusing him of faking an injury during the 2016 World T20 in March. Speaking to cricket.com.au, the 35-year old was also eager to get back to bowling after clearing his action.
Hafeez revealed, “The media accused me of pretending injury which had a terrible effect on my social life. The people in our media don't understand to what extent their irresponsible reporting can disturb our lives.“
Elaborating on the damage that the allegations had caused, he claimed, “I have kids who go to school. What if someone tells my kids, 'Your father faked an injury and did not want to serve the country'? What sort of impact it will have on my and my family's social life?“
Citing medical documents which proved that he had indeed torn a muscle in his right knee, the all-rounder added, “If I was faking injury then why haven't I played for three months? All the scans and medical experts are also fake?“
The right-hander shot back at critics who had questioned his place in the team when he was suspended from bowling in June 2015. Hafeez asserted, “People put a question mark on my career. They thought I wouldn't find a place in the team as a batsman. But, my performance in the last year is in front of you.”
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However, he accepted that Pakistan needed him to contribute with the ball as well. The off-spinner affirmed, “I know that my absence as a bowler has affected our bowling combination. That's why I am working hard to be back as an all-rounder.”
He declared, “I want to bowl as soon as possible. I was the number one all-rounder in the ICC Rankings and I want to achieve it again. Very soon you will see me bowling. I was working very hard on my bowling action. But, I could not practice in the last three months due to the knee injury. Now that I am recovering and reaching full fitness, I will start practice again and increase the repetitions.“
Looking ahead to the upcoming tour to England which is likely to test his technique, Hafeez stated, “It is going to be a very important tour of my career and I'm mentally prepared for it. I do not have any skills deficiency. Pakistan has a very strong team in Tests. I'm very confident our team will do well in England. We as a team have ability to win the series.”
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