Mohammad Hafeez ruled out of the limited-overs series against West Indies

Mohammad Hafeez wasn’t having the best of the times in England and just when he would have wanted to get things back in control as the tour moved towards its business end but he caught an injury and was ruled out. Hafeez injured his calf muscle and had to fly back home after the first ODI.

He was initially advised a three-week rest to get back on track but things haven’t shaped up as well as they should have and it turns out that the all-rounder has been ruled out of the limited-over series against the West Indies and might as well be doubtful for the Tests in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October.

Talking about his injury, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical panel member Dr Muhammad Riaz said, “He is undergoing a rehab program at the national cricket academy but needs a further three weeks to make a complete recovery,”

Hafeez wasn’t really pleased to be sent home as soon as he was deemed unavailable but head coach Mickey Arthur took the decision to fly him back to Pakistan soon after the injury was brought to notice just ahead of the second ODI. It was Arthur who took a strong stand and dropped him from the lineup for the last Test as well since Hafeez had struggled to contribute in the first three Tests.

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A few people in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also hold things against him and want him to undergo the bowling test and be available for the team as an allrounder and unless he does that his reconsideration looks really difficult. PTI quoted a source saying, “The selectors believe that Hafeez’s utility to the team is only complete if he can bowl again. Because his batting form has not been impressive in recent months,” he said.

It is also believed that he has irked two people who have the matters in their control at the moment. The chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Arthur and despite enjoying a backing from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, Hafeez will find things really difficult in the coming days.

“Both are not very happy with Hafeez’s form or attitude towards his bowling test,” he said.

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