Ramiz Raja hits out at Mohammad Hafeez for prioritising T10 League over playing for Pakistan

Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistan cricketer, has lashed out at Mohammad Hafeez for preferring the T10 League over playing for Pakistan. Hafeez is not available for the three T20Is against South Africa, starting Thursday, February 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The veteran refused to join Pakistan’s bio-secure bubble by February 3 amidst his participation in the T10 League.

Hafeez is playing for the Maratha Arabians and he scored an unbeaten 61 in their last match against Bangla Tigers. Raja, hitting out at Hafeez, said that the Sargodha-born should have been prepared to be flexible while following the rules in the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is imperative that everyone religiously follows Covid-19 protocols: Ramiz Raja

“International teams are now coming to Pakistan so it is imperative that everyone religiously follows Covid-19 protocols. Among those playing in T10 League, Asif Ali is coming but not Mohammad Hafeez because he doesn’t want to end his contract.

“This shows the level of thinking because, considering the situation, we should be prepared to follow the necessary protocols even if there are last-minute changes,” Raja was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

“If you look at Haris Rauf, he left Big Bash League to join Pakistan’s Test squad which shows what his priority is. If Pakistan is your priority then you are headed in the right direction.

“If you want to serve the leagues at the cost of selection for the Pakistan team, then you are certainly not on the right path. One should think about Pakistan instead of being selfish because nobody will back you,” he added.

Hafeez was Pakistan’s standout batsman in their previous T20I series against New Zealand in December. He started the series with a duck, but then came back with an unbeaten 99 in Hamilton, though his team lost the match. In the last game at McLean Park in Napier, he made 41 runs.

As far as Pakistan’s home campaign is concerned, the team, led by Babar Azam, beat the Proteas by seven wickets at the National Stadium in Karachi. Fawad Alam became the Player of the Match. The second Test is set to get underway on Thursday, February 4 in Rawalpindi.