Former Pakistan skipper and coach Mohammad Hafeez has made a shocking claim following his team's narrow six-run defeat against India in a T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York on Sunday (June 9).

Hafeez alleged that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prioritized their own interests and engaged in negotiations with players such as Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim to ensure they get picked in the T20 World Cup squad.

"They (PCB) brought them here out of greed, made deals with such players (Amir and Wasim) who have ruined Pakistan's cricket. I was in the domestic circuit, but no one wanted to play domestic cricket. It is because they were telling me that 'any of us gets selected, we will take it.' How can it be that players who don't even play Pakistan's domestic cricket got selected," Hafeez said while speaking on PTV Sports.

"When asked to play for Pakistan six months ago, they said they wanted to play in leagues. Since no leagues are happening these days, they are playing in the World Cup. They are playing in the World Cup as if it is just another league," he added.

Notably, Amir, who called time on his international career in 2020, reversed his decision earlier this year and declared his availability for the Pakistan team once again.

As part of his comeback, the left-arm pacer was included in the Pakistan T20I squad that played New Zealand at home and toured Ireland and England just before the ongoing T20 World Cup.

On the other hand, Imad Wasim, who had retired from international cricket in 2023, also made a U-turn in April this year after holding discussions with PCB officials. He also participated in the series against New Zealand, Ireland and England to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024.