CT 2017: Pakistan as a team is moving in the right direction, says Mohammad Hafeez

Team Pakistan is all set to take on Sri Lanka in the virtual quarter final against Sri Lanka in the ongoing edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. The winner of the match will set a semi-final date with hosts England or with Bangladesh. On the other hand, the loser will crash out of the tournament. Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez addressed the media on the eve of the big clash.

He noted that the team is raring to take the field in the match. They know that the win will put them in a commanding position and do a world of good to their team morale. Pakistan is very keen on winning the game and reaching the semis since it will do a world of good to their cricket on the broader scale. This is something that the Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews stressed about.

“Well, first of all, we believe as a team we are ready and crystal clear when it comes to preparation, when it comes to the role. And the situation is very clear in front of us – like we have to win the game because rest of the things is just irrelevant because, once you are clear, then all things will come into place. So we are ready. We know like this is a game we all want to win and want to go through to the semis,” quoted Mohammad Hafeez.

On having the unpredictable tag

Over the years, the Pakistani team has managed to get a tag of being the most unpredictable side. This was evident in the way the two matches have fared up for them in the tournament. Against India, they succumbed like ten pins without putting up any competition. On the other hand, they stunned the strong South African side in their second match. Mohammad Hafeez noted that he loves the tag of being unpredictable. This makes the opposition wary of the fact they are actually capable of outperforming them.

“To be honest, I’m always a fan of that tag, even by many, as unpredictable team, so I’m very happy with that, and that’s what you can see. As a team, we’re always very aggressive. It’s my personal opinion. I believe like the first time it’s been given to the Pakistan team was when we won the World Cup 1992. If you see the history of Pakistan cricket from there till now, we’re always unpredictable. We have the talent, but still you never know when it comes. That’s something like always opposition think about it. They never take us light. They never think, like, we can take them on,” quoted Mohammad Hafeez.

“At the same time, yes, being consistent is always like something we always work on it, and we wanted to be consistent enough to get in the right frame of mind always as a team. I think in this team — it’s a new team, but I still think we as a team are ready to take all the challenges coming ahead of us,” he added further.

On the prospect of playing in the semis

A win in the match against Sri Lanka will put Pakistan in the semi-finals. Mohammad Hafeez stressed on the fact that if they manage to do so, it would be a big achievement for them. The win will assure them that Pakistan cricket is heading in the right direction. He remarked that the team is gelling well as a unit and the feeling in the team camp is quite pleasing.

“Well, to be honest, I think it’s an achievement. Everyone wanted to go there, wanted to do well in this competition, but still I believe, and we believe as a team, we are moving towards the right direction. We know the rules. We know, as a team, we are gelling together. We’re doing what the job on our hands is. It would be great to achieve that and going forward in this tournament, but still I think we, as a team, are gelling together and doing the role what is required for the Pakistan cricket,” said Hafeez.

On personal bowling form

Mohammad Hafeez has not quite been the usual bowler in the recent times. However, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed used him for his complete quota of overs against South Africa. It is very likely that it will be the same case against the Lankans. Hafeez, on his bowling form, said that he is willing to contribute to the team in every possible way.

“Yes, personally, I was missing that part of the time because that was something that I really wanted to do whenever I played cricket. The missing part was just release, and I’m really happy to do that job also for the team. I feel myself enjoying more in the ground, and also it is working for the team. That is always great,” conceded Hafeez.