Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has publicly questioned the selection of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the national team, citing their recent struggles to perform.
In an interview on a local YouTube channel, Hafeez argued that the term “key players” should be reserved for those who consistently win matches for their team. He stated that, based on this definition, Babar and Rizwan no longer fit the description.
“Calling them key players would be wrong and unfair,” Hafeez said. “Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are not Pakistan cricket’s key players at the moment. Key players are those who win matches for Pakistan.”
Hafeez pointed to other players who he believes are the team’s true performers. “If we look at the past year and a half to two years, the players showing consistent performance are Salman Ali Agha, Saeem Ayub, and Hasan Nawaz. Why aren’t we talking about them? They are the current players winning matches for Pakistan.”
He also urged Babar and Rizwan to be more concerned about their positions on the team, suggesting they need to prove their worth before being considered key players. “Both were good in the past, but now they are not delivering results,” he remarked.
In addition to Babar and Rizwan, Hafeez also criticized the performances of bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, stating they also need to deliver match-winning results.
Hafeez emphasized that Pakistan cricket should focus on players who can contribute consistently for the next 10 to 15 years, rather than just on big names. He concluded by calling on the PCB to take prompt action, criticizing players who prioritize their social media presence over their performance on the field.
