Can't answer for past results, but people will see better results for Pakistan in future: Mohammad Hafeez
Hafeez encourages the team to adopt a modern and aggressive style of cricket under his regime.
Mohammad Hafeez, the new director of the Pakistan cricket team, expressed confidence about the challenging three-Test tour to Australia, despite Pakistan's poor record of losing the last 14 Tests in the country so far.
As the team director and acting head coach, Hafeez, who has not played a Test in Australia, encourages the team to adopt a modern and aggressive style of cricket. He views the ongoing losing streak as an opportunity rather than a burden.
"When there is an excitement in your challenge, when there is a nothing-to-lose opportunity and a lot to gain, you're winning. As a team, our goal is not what history says but what we can go out there and achieve. The mindset is very clear - this is a very exciting challenge ahead of us and, together, we can bring better results. I can't answer for past results, but from here on you will see inshallah better results for Pakistan," Hafeez said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Despite facing challenges with a new captain, the absence of an official head coach, and concerns about the bowling attack, Hafeez remains confident. He believes the selected bowling unit has the potential to deliver winning performances.
"In this team, the bowling unit has good bowlers, the best ones in the Pakistani system have been selected. The bowling line-up that we have, I have a very strong gut feeling that they can give winning performances there. When you take 20 wickets, that is when you have a chance of winning. I think our bowling is capable of doing that," he added.
We will not play according to how another team plays: Hafeez
While there have been setbacks in recent tournaments, Hafeez highlights Pakistan's successful Test assignment against Sri Lanka. He mentions that the batting order is in good form, and with Babar Azam relieved of the captaincy, he expects his game to flourish a bit more than before.
"Every team has their own winning mantra and strategy. We will not play according to how another team plays, but we will have to make our own strategy for how we are going to win. Pakistan's cricket has always done better when they are being aggressive. That is a very clear message to all the players that we want them to play with an aggressive mindset. We will not change to someone else's style, but we want to have our own strong style."
Hafeez stresses the importance of embracing modern cricket and playing with an aggressive mindset. He believes this approach will help Pakistan take the first step towards playing modern-day cricket.
"Modern-day cricket is not a pill that you swallow and you suddenly start playing it," he added. "It is an intent, a way of thinking, that you want to play in a dominating position, to stay ahead of the game at all times, and to bring in impactful performances. Everyone at this level performs but it's no point unless it is impactful. We need to come out of our comfort zones and work towards achieving team goals and being impactful. You will hopefully see Pakistan cricket take the first step towards playing modern-day cricket," he concluded.
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