ICC World Cup 2019 | We failed collectively as a team, believes Mohammad Hafeez

Pakistan’s failure in the ongoing World Cup has been one of the talking points of the tournament so far. Few had expected them to see reeling at ninth beyond the halfway point of the tournament and the chances of qualification to the semi-finals seem overtly ambitious considering how things have been so far. Neither the batting lineup has lived up to the expectations nor has the bowling been able to take wickets when needed, causing Hafeez to label their failure as a collective one.

"I tell you that to see the team at number nine is hurting all of us. We failed collectively as a team. We could not produce a team effort and individual brilliance did not help us either. In cricket these days, you need a team performance. We can't blame any single person. Everyone is responsible for failing to deliver," he said, reported DNA India.

The team as well as the coaching personnel have been the victims of very harsh criticism from the media. Moreover, videos of fans insulting the skipper with derogatory comments near his hotel have gone viral, while the press has asked questions of the players’ diet, work ethics and even personal relationships, among other things.

"All of us are also hurt by the negative campaign in the media where players and their families were targeted. There was talks of groupings (factions) in the team which was wrong. Why don't you talk about such things when the team is winning?" Hafeez said addressing the grave situation.

However, Hafeez has refused to throw in the towel. The team was given time off to refresh themselves and remain motivated in an attempt to win the remaining four matches, with qualification very much possible mathematically. 

“All is not finished for us. We are focused on our next game and we are eager to win that match. We had ample time after the India game to regroup for a new beginning.”

He also lashed back at the media for asking him why they did not take the former captain Imran Khan’s advice after the Prime Minister had tweeted before the match that Pakistan should bat choose to bat first should they win the toss.

"It was a team decision and that cannot be made on what someone has tweeted. It was the team's decision. We didn't bowl well and that's why we lost that game," Hafeez stated sternly.

Cricket FootBall Kabaddi

Basketball Hockey

SportsCafe