Pakistan’s Hafeez says he’s a fan of the ‘unpredictable’ tag
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez says the team is geared up for the virtual quarterfinal against Sri Lanka and will display aggressive brand of cricket. The unpredictable Pakistanis were hammered by India in the first match but then came back superbly to beat South Africa in a rain-hit match.
Admitting that Pakistan have been unpredictable, Hafeez felt the tag helps them. “To be honest, I’m always a fan of that tag, even by many, as unpredictable team, so I’m very happy with that, and that’s what you can see.
“As a team, we’re always very aggressive. Yes, we had some of the days which were not nice, and I think the first game was one of those where we all tried our level best but things didn’t work for us. And the next game, like it was a complete team effort. As a team, we are always like that, and I love that tag always,” he said.
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed had, before the first match, said that any victory in the tournament will be an achievement for the team as they are ranked eighth, the lowest among all competing nations here.
Hafeez said that reaching the semifinals will be a huge achievement. “Well, to be honest, I think it will be an achievement.
“Everyone wants to go there,” he said before adding that the fact the team is doing well as a unit is the most important thing. “We are moving towards the right direction. We know, as a team, we are jelling together and doing the role what is required from the Pakistan cricket.”
Although a fan of the ‘unpredictable’ tag, the Pakistan veteran said that they are working on being consistent in the long run. “Being consistent is always like something we want to work on, and we want to be consistent enough to get in the right frame of mind always as a team. It’s a new team and we are (getting) ready to take all the challenges coming ahead of us.
Hafeez was out of cricket for a long time. But he feels it has helped him come back with a freer mind. “The absence was just a release, and I’m really happy to do that job (to sit out) also.”