PAK v BAN 2020: Hafeez relieved to have performed on comeback in Pakistan colours 

Mohammad Hafeez scored a fifty in the second T20I against Bangladesh in Lahore.

Mohammad Hafeez | GettyFor a while post the previous year's World Cup in UK, it seemed that will remain Mohammad Hafeez's last international assignment for Pakistan. The all-rounder, having retired from Tests, got dropped from the limited-overs side and wasn't also part of the list of centrally contracted players announced by the PCB. So it was felt that with the new coaching and selection regime in place, Hafeez's days in the green jersey are now over.

However, fortunes changed when on the back of quality performances in the short-form leagues across the globe, like the Caribbean Premier League, he was brought back for this three-match T20I series against Bangladesh in Lahore. 

Hafeez repaid the faith shown by the management, led by former skipper Misbah Ul Haq, with a fifty in Pakistan's nine-wicket victory in the second T20I this Saturday (January 25).

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"It was a superb opportunity for me to represent Pakistan again and contribute in getting Pakistan a winning momentum," ESPNcricinfo quoted Hafeez as saying. "There was one required missing part in the team and that is exactly what I am trying to cover. I am really happy the way Shoaib Malik played a magnificent inning on a difficult situation and pitch and won a game for Pakistan, and that was something to learn from. So today with my innings, I am more than happy to be able to help Pakistan win a game."

"When you make a come back there is a pressure of expectations. For 8-9 months, I didn't play international cricket and I didn't play domestic, because I wanted to let youngsters to play," he added. "I quit Test cricket, so there was no point playing four-day cricket. I was focusing more on white-ball cricket."

"There was a lot going in mind but I kept on backing my experience and my preparations and waiting for the opportunity. I was positive all the way and during the time never let my thought process go negative."

Despite uncertainty, the desire to comeback never faded and hence, Hafeez reckons it is important for the decision-makers to communicate well regarding their future with senior cricketers like him and even Shoaib Malik. 

"If there is any policy (of picking only young guns) then it should be talked about," he said. "I had tried speaking to the higher officials directly, asking if they need me or otherwise. I told them that I am happy with my career and satisfied from my services for Pakistan."

"If they think that I am no longer required or there isn't a place for me, then I should distance myself from international circuit and focus on international leagues. But I never got a reply so I was being patient and open and was happy to serve Pakistan again when required."

"My return is being painted as a comeback, which for me was an opportunity to come with a more focused mindset," Hafeez added. "To me, performances are what help your team to win and I am more excited than ever that my contribution has played a key part, as a match-winning innings similar to Malik the other day. I think communication is very important and if a player is communicated in time then it's a lot easier [for player to plan his future]."

(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 27 Jan, 2020

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