ICC CWC'19: 'Team's decision isn't made on someone's tweet', says Hafeez

Mumbai: Pakistan’s second highest scorer in the tournament so far, Mohammad Hafeez spoke on the team not following former cricketer and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tweet. The 38-year old spoke in a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s match against South Africa on June 23.

Though the Prime Minister had advised the team to bat first, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed decided to do the opposite. Pakistan chose to bat, aiming to take out the Indian batsmen with pace bowling under overcast conditions. The decision however backfired and India went on to make 336 runs, a target Pakistan could not overcome.

Hafeez however defended Ahmed, stating that “Team’s decision can’t be made on what someone has tweeted. It was the team’s decision.” He further went on to add that the real reason for the team’s loss was the team’s poor bowling performance.

Former players like Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram had earlier blasted the team, blaming the incorrect toss decision to be the cause of Pakistan’s loss.

Hafeez also expressed the pain that the team has been facing recently due to the heavy criticism they have been facing at the tournament. Pakistan have won just one game and stand at ninth position, above winless Afghanistan.