Usman Qadir accuses Hafeez, reluctant to spill beans on Babar Azam

Pakistan leg-spinner, Usman Qadir has accused former Pakistan team director, Mohammad Hafeez regarding his exclusion from the national team, while also hinting at a strained relationship with captain Babar Azam. 

While speaking on a local YouTube channel, Usman claimed that then T20I captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had told him that a few good performances in domestic cricket would secure him a spot in the New Zealand series, which was played earlier in January this year. 

"Shaheen told me that if I deliver few performances in T20s, they would pick me for the New Zealand series, why they lost in January. So, shortly after that, I managed to perform well with Allah's help. In one match, I took 5 wickets, and overall in 8 matches, I took 13 wickets. So I was happy that I might make a comeback. But I didn't receive any call, and the team was announced without my name," Usman said.

Usman had hoped for a potential return to the national team but was ultimately disappointed when his name was not on the squad list. When he inquired, he was informed that Hafeez, who held a director position then, was opposed to his selection. 

"When I inquired, they said Hafeez bhai is not agreeing. Since Hafeez bhai is the director, and he's not agreeing, they can’t select me," Usman said.
"So, if you have personal preferences and performance doesn't count, then I am quite far away from getting selected," he added.

When questioned by the host if he had discussed his role as a right-arm leg spinner with captain Babar Azam, who is also his close friend, Usman refrained from elaborating.

"Let's just leave this matter. The conversation can go in many directions. I prefer to leave it at that. If I say something, the conversation might not stay on topic and could go far beyond what was intended," he concluded.

It is worth noting that Usman has only played 25 T20Is and one ODI for Pakistan and believes he hasn't been given consistent chances to prove himself as a reliable match performer for the national team.