Shortly after he broke ties with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the former director of the board made an appearance on a television programme. Hafeez said, in an unexpected move, that the national team does not place the highest priority on fitness.
He spoke about how particularly when it comes to players who play for the squad in red-ball cricket. The former director said that the coaching panel, which included the then-skipper Babar Azam, disapproved of players concentrating on their exercise regimens. They instead urged them to play their natural game.
This explanation poses some severe issues, especially in the context of sports where physical fitness is becoming a more and more important component of success. Cricket is changing quickly, thus physical fitness and athleticism are now essential for elite success rather than being optional.
While talking to A Sports, Mohammad Hafeez said, “When we reached Australia, I spoke to the team, the captain (Babar Azam), and the management and told them to prioritise fitness. I asked the trainer about the standards of fitness which are being followed. But the trainer told me, six months ago, the management and captain had instructed me not to prioritise fitness and not to check the fitness of the players, and let them play their natural game.”
He said, “After six months when I observed them, the fat level, which plays an important role in the international level of the players, had transcended almost twice the standard level.”
Poor run of form for Pakistan cricket!
The Men in Green haven’t played well at either the Asia Cup or the 50-over World Cup recently, and they’ve had an awful time. Following this, Australia were able to thrash the Asian side in a Test series. The side was led by Shan Masood, who assumed captaincy following PCB’s decision to relieve Babar Azam of his captaincy responsibilities.
The squad recently suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat in the T20I series against New Zealand. The ex-cricketer, who was on the squad throughout that course, is in a unique position to discuss the consequences of putting fitness last.
Fans react as Mohammad Hafeez reveals how Babar Azam denied checking in on Pakistan players’ fitness regularly: –
Mohammed Hafeez said, "when we went to Australia, I told the players to take care of their fitness levels. I asked trainer, he told me 6 months ago Babar Azam and Arthur told to stop checking players on fitness parameters and let them play the way they want". (A Sports). pic.twitter.com/sCo7KPihlz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 21, 2024
HAfeez slowly revealing everything about PAK 😛 😛
— Omkhar Setty (@omkhar_setty) February 21, 2024
This is absolutely criminal ?
— Imran (@ImranNotKhan) February 21, 2024
This is not good . It’s not something to be told to media. I think it degrades yourselves and your team. Why can’t be this discussed within four walls?
— Quotesforbetterliving (@Quotes4better_) February 21, 2024
He's sleeping like a baby
— IPOArena (@IpoArena) February 21, 2024
Pakistan and Fitness in cricket. Irony
— Donald Trump (Parody) (@magatriumph) February 21, 2024
Hafeez ki to kaya hi baat hai pata nhi kyun log sunte hain usko
— Sikandar Virk?? (@Sikandar_Virk18) February 21, 2024
This is so bad, hafeez is now trying to manipulate Babar Azam by giving different kinds of statements
— Faisal Jahangeer (@FaisalJahange15) February 21, 2024
That is why we call them Pakistanis
— Apuroop Achanta (@digitaldetox_9) February 21, 2024
