Fans need to stop insulting Hafeez to admire Amir
Cricket fans need to relax. Pakistanis, in particular. More than 5 years ago when Muhammed Amir along with Salman Butt and Muhammed Asif shamed Pakistan’s image worldwide with their proven spot fixing in Lord’s Test, everybody then reacted in the worst possible manner, understandably so. Fair to say they were probably even harsher than Muhammed Hafeez.
Since all of them are now allowed to play International Cricket again, cricket fans have forgotten their (particularly Amir’s) mischievous activities that the trio conducted 5 years ago. In this very case, cricket fans are right. So is Muhammed Hafeez. But that doesn’t make Amir or other 2 players wrong.
Cricket fans need to read the aforementioned paragraph once again. Securing 24 M.O.T.M awards and 7 M.O.T.S awards during these 5 years for Pakistan is commendable and it needs to be appreciated. Muhammed Hafeez cannot and should not be criticized over his remarks just because Muhammed Amir is picking wickets in domestic and international leagues.
Muhammed Hafeez has secured 24 International Man of the Match Awards, joint most with Virat Kohli since 2nd September 2010 (since the trio got banned). Not only this, he has also managed to obtain 7 International Man of the Series Awards, joint 2nd most with Hashim Amla behind AB de Villiers’ 8.
“I am not against any individuals. It is about the image of Pakistan cricket. I cannot play with any player who has tarnished and brought a bad name to the country. This is my personal opinion and this is not just about Pakistani players, it's about all players.”
My question to all those cricket fanatics is: What do they have to say about Hafeez’s credentials over the past 5 years? Do they not feel proud over his achievements for Pakistan especially when Amir was busy in serving his punishment? Is an individual not entitled to his opinion? Think about all these questions before criticizing Hafeez.
Following was Hafeez’s statement over which he is, in my opinion, wrongly criticized:
Given Amir has now completed his ban period; he has every right to play International Cricket again. It would be extremely unfair to not allow him back to the cricket field. His performance in the domestic and international leagues is an example that he still has it in him to once again shine the cricketing arena.
In my opinion, Hafeez was dead right. He has every right to express his opinion. Just because his point of view did not match yours, it doesn’t mean he is wrong. Remember he is an International Cricketer who represents Pakistan on International stage. He has to be answerable to cricket fans, media, management for his and his country’s action. But that doesn’t make Muhammed Amir wrong.
Article Written By Zubair Ahmed
