Hafeez: PCB should try out young talent against Zimbabwe

The PCB should rest senior players for the limited-overs matches at home against Zimbabwe, says Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez.

Mohammad Hafeez scored two half-centuries in the recent T20 series against England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board should rest senior players and give exposure to young cricketers during the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe, according to batsman Mohammad Hafeez.

Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan, starting October 20, comprises of three One-Day Internationals and as many Twenty20 Internationals. The matches will likely be held in Multan and Rawalpindi.

“I am ready to take a rest from the series. I think it is the best opportunity to give more exposure to the younger players,” Hafeez told a TV channel.

Hafeez felt that young batsman Haider Ali still had a long way to go to become a complete batsman. Haider made his T20 debut in the third match in England and score a swashbuckling half-century.

‘Great talent’

Hafeez, who himself scored two half-centuries in the series, advised Haider to work on his technique.

“Haider is a great talent and plays with tremendous confidence which is required at the top level. However, he still needs to work a lot on his technique. If your technique is solid, then you can survive for long in international cricket. I hope he is working on it because if he improves his technique, his shot range will become ever better. I am praying for his success. I always like it when our youngsters showcase their talent in front of the world. This is how Pakistan cricket will move forward. I want more youngsters to come but after they are fully prepared and ready for international cricket,” he said.

Hafeez also said he was available and allowed to bowl in international cricket but the captain didn’t use his services in the recent T20 series against England. Hafeez’s bowling action was declared illegal in an English county game but after that, he took an ICC bowling action assessment and cleared it.

“I was available to bowl in England but it was the captain’s choice to not use me. If I was not in the captain’s plan, it does not mean that he is unaware of my ability as a bowler. In future, if given an opportunity, I am available to deliver as a bowler,” he said.