Pakistan test and one day captain Misbah ul Haq said on Tuesday that confusion is being created by different means to disrupt the harmony of the team ahead of an important assignment, the Champions Trophy in England this summer.
“Certain base less issues are being highlighted to cause grave confusion for creating misunderstanding among the ranks”, he said here while talking to journalists when his attention was drawn to the statement of a former PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt who accused National T20 captain Hafeez for his role to join hands with coach Dave Whatmore to design a conspiracy against (him) Misbah.
Misbah pointed out that the ongoing propaganda campaign can bring adverse impact on the team which is yet to start its preparations for the Champions trophy.
“In the past as well I have contradicted such baseless statements which aimed at creating confusion to harm the interest of Pakistan cricket and it is sad that some quarters are still busy in the same practice”, he added.
He once again dispelled differences between him and Hafeez and said a harmful campaign is being launched once again prior to start of team’s participation for Champions Trophy.
“It is the high time that we should not pay any attention to such baseless propaganda and start our preparations for Champions Trophy which is going to a challenging event”, he asserted.
When approached Hafeez said: “I have nothing doing with the exclusion or inclusion of any player in the side and it is the job of the selection committee to pick the players and my job is to get best out of the combination handed over to me”, he asserted.
“I enjoy very good friendly relations with him (Misbah) and I learnt a lot from him when he was the captain and still I seek his advice at times”,he said adding ” When I play in test and one day formats I always try to rise to the occasion being a useful force for my team and captain”.
He said it was unfortunate that he was being associated with the unfounded sagas that he was hand in hand with Whatmore to make things difficult for former T20 captain, Misbah.
Hafeez said as T20 captain his main responsibility is to inspire the team to produce desired results and to utilize his energies to lift the level of its performance keeping in view the future of Pakistan in the game.
He pointed out that after every series abroad unjustified things are attributed to him regarding omission of players or a specific player which add to confusion rather serving any purpose.
Hafeez said Whatmore is a coach who is rich in coaching abilities and he is making best possible efforts to bring overall improvement in the team.
“Of course he (Whatmore) discusses important issues pertaining to T20 cricket and players with me and I always try to give my input to best of my professional approach and standing in the game”,said the Pak T20 captain.
To a question, Hafeez said his leadership qualities in the shortest version of the game can be judged by the results the team achieved in recent time.
“I am trying hard to duly justify in what ever format of cricket I play,he said.
He said the important task ahead of him to concentrate on preparing for the Champions trophy.
