Mohammad Hafeez takes an indirect dig at PCB for picking 'unpolished' youngsters over experienced players after Pakistan’s loss against New Zealand

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez lashed out at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for selecting a relatively young team for the two-match Test series against New Zealand. Pakistan succumbed to a massive 101-run defeat against New Zealand at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui in the first Test match of the series.

Hafeez was disappointed with the team’s loss and blamed the existence of the inexperienced players in the team for the defeat. The 40-year-old took to his official Twitter handle to opine that it is important for the authorities to groom and polish the players at the domestic level as the international stage is for the cricketers to exhibit their talent and help their teams win the games.

“International stage is for the Product to perform. Talent needs to be Groomed,Polished at domestic & academy level until they become a PRODUCT to represent at National level. If it make sense to someone #MasoomanaAdvice,” Mohammad Hafeez tweeted.

International stage is for the Product to perform. Talent needs to be Groomed,Polished at domestic & academy level until they become a PRODUCT to represent at National level. If it make sense to someone #MasoomanaAdvice

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) December 30, 2020

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah shine with the ball for Pakistan

However, this advice by the veteran cricketer didn’t make much sense as the players who had relatively less experience outshined the experienced ones. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had featured in just 18 first-class games, was the highest wicket-taker for the visitors in the first innings as he scalped 4 wickets. Naseem Shah, who is just 17 years old, was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings as he took 3 wickets.

On the other hand, players like Abid Ali and Shan Masood, who have featured in more than 100+ first-class games in the domestic circuit, failed to open their accounts in the second innings while opening the batting for the visitors and registered mere scores of 25 and 10 runs respectively in the first innings.

Though Mohammad Hafeez was upset with the loss, he praised the Pakistan team for fighting till the end and giving competition to the Black Caps. After the loss in the first Test, Hafeez tweeted, “Team Pakistan. proud of U on showing a great resilient attitude & fought hard till end. Strong Character shown Stay strong & come back harder #PakvsNz”

Team Pakistan 🇵🇰 proud of U on showing a great resilient attitude & fought hard till end. Strong Character shown Stay strong & come back harder @iMRizwanPak @iamfawadalam25 @captainmisbahpk @YounusK75 @waqyounis99 #PakvsNz

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) December 30, 2020

The visiting nation will now be up against New Zealand in the last Test of the two-match series at Christchurch, starting from January 3.