PCB denies rift between Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez – Cricket News Update
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically denied the media reports about rift between Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez and has stated that it is an effort to demoralise the side ahead of an important One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa.
The Green Shirts miserably failed to deliver the goods during the recently concluded Test series against the Proteas, being whitewashed in the three-match battle. However, Pakistan bounced back strongly to claim the only T20 played on the tour by a massive margin of 95 runs at Centurion.
With the five-match ODI series going to begin tomorrow at Bloemfontein, some of the television channels in Pakistan have claimed that there are serious differences between the skipper and his deputy about team selection and Hafeez’ batting order.
According to some of the reports, the team management is confused about selecting the right combination for the first ODI, with senior players like Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik not guaranteed for a place in the playing eleven.
In a statement issued yesterday, the board expressed that the reports of infighting in the team are incorrect and media should behave in a more responsible manner.
The statement read, “The team management was contacted in South Africa and it was discovered that no such disagreement whatsoever existed. It is therefore stated for record that all such isolated reports in the media are baseless and inspired. And an attempt to demoralize the team.”
The manager of the Pakistan cricket team, Naveed Akram Cheema, while speaking to a private television channel last night, has also clarified that the team is united to take on AB de Villiers and company.
“There are no such problems and no such incident took place. The boys are close to each other and are in high spirits for the ODI series,” said the team manager. “It is true we didn't perform up to expectations in the Test series but that is now past and we are thinking about the present and future.”
With a number of experienced players in their ranks for the 50-overs format, a number of sporting analysts believe that Pakistan are going to give a tough time to the Proteas.
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