Hafeez explains why he wrote ‘RIP Pakistan domestic cricket’

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has raised significant concerns regarding the selection criteria and the inclusion of certain players in the national cricket team, particularly highlighting their lack of recent participation in domestic cricket.

In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Hafeez questioned the decision to bring back players like Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who had been absent from domestic cricket for several years. Despite their extended hiatus from the domestic circuit, both players were recalled to the team. 

"We have two players, Imad and Amir, who have not played domestic cricket for many years, they were brought back in the team. Amir hasn't played domestic cricket for 3-4 years, and he had taken retirement, however he was also brought back," Hafeez said.

Moreover, Hafeez expressed reservations about Wasim's return to the team, highlighting his lack of participation in domestic cricket and his preference for playing in leagues over representing Pakistan. 

"Imad Wasim, who hasn't played domestic cricket and was sitting on TV, he said that he didn't want to play cricket for Pakistan because when I talked to him, he had some objections and in his opinion, he was hard done by the last management because he didn't get fair chances. So when I talked to him and told him that whatever has happened has happened, we will look after you going forward, you play for Pakistan, he said no, he wants to play leagues, but he was brought back," he further added.

Lastly, Hafeez addressed the inclusion of Usman Khan and emphasized the demotivating impact such decisions could have on thousands of cricketers in the domestic circuit, who dedicate themselves to playing domestic cricket in the hopes of representing their country.

Highlighting the disconnect between selection criteria and domestic cricket performance, Hafeez criticized the decisions made by the management, stating that they have effectively undermined the importance and passion for domestic cricket in Pakistan. 

“After that, I have great respect for Usman Khan's talent, but he is not part of Pakistan's system. How will you motivate thousands of cricketers in the domestic circuit who work day and night and play domestic cricket when your selection criteria is not based on domestic cricket performance? That's why I tweeted that after the inclusion of these three players, you have killed your domestic cricket,” he concluded.