By Saj
September 4 2004

Read PakPassion's Question and Answer Session with Pakistan All rounder Mohammed Hafeez. His views on upcoming players, the series v SA, the England 2003 one dayers etc. Which areas of your game do you think need improvement the most?
I have been thinking about my batting as a whole.

Do you think you are good enough currently to play in the team?
Yes, at present I think I am.

How hard have you been working on your batting technique?
I have been thinking about my batting technique for some time. I worked with Greg Chappell and he gave some tips for me to think about.

Do u feel that it is coming together now with respect to your batting?
Yes, things are getting better.

How do you rate Bob Woolmer and what did he say to you during the camp in Lahore?
He didnt say anything to me, but in his talks, he kept things simple for all the players.

What went through your mind when you were dropped by Pakistan?
Nothing, I was expecting it, as I hadnt performed with the bat, although I was doing ok with the ball.

What are Pakistans chances in ICC trophy?
40%, I think Aus will win it, and my other favourite is SL who are playing very good cricket presently. Thirdly you cant rule out England at home.

How was Javed Miandad as a coach? Did he put too much pressure on batsmen?
He used to think we all had to go thru this machine, be it me or Inzi bhai, or anybody. It would make us a better player, but it didnt, there were no ideas there.

Did players hate his balcony signals while batting?
Yes

Which player was most helpful to you, when you had that disaster odi series versus South Africa?
No one in the team, ex player, Aamir Sohail helped me a lot.

What if you dont make it at the top level-do you have an alternative career to fall back on? No I have no other career

Who are your greatest influences?
No influences at all, actually, it was a dream for me to play for Pakistan, and nothing more. I fulfilled it with the Grace of Gods wishes.

What has been the most satisfying moment of your career so far?
Eng 2003 tour

How was the atmosphere in the dressing room under Rashid Latif and after the World Cup debacle?
Great atmosphere, no complaints

Who were you close with in the team?
Umar Gul and Misbah

(I believe this is correct). How did you manage to captain Sarghoda at such a young age? How would you rate your captaincy?
I was young and always used to give advice to which ever captain i played under, be it club, or any level, and I used to think that these guys have to cricket sense and got angry, and when ever I gave tips mine would work out. I also knew that I had to work with players who were well experienced and older, so I decided that there would be no compromise on the field and I respected my elders. We got on fine. I played under good and bad captains.

From the current team, which players do u think have a great future ahead of themselves? I think Misbah has a great future, If they play with him and give him a chance for a long period, I mean few games.

If you were recalled to the team as a specialist spinner, will you be willing to bad in the tail?
I will manage, I know I have the shots to adjust to the lower order if need be.

How did you enjoy your last visit to Manchester when u won man off the match award in 1st odi game v England?
Very enjoyable - at the time I was so confident as I played well in Sharjah also.

Also what did you think off the size off the crowds that turned up in UK to watch Pakistan? Amazing, like being and playing in Pak.

How was it feeling to play for Pakistan, and what where your feelings when you came on the ground to play?
I was honoured, but when I look back at that time, I was also nervous

I saw on tv that you and Imran Farhat were the only test cricketer who came into NCA when Greg Chappell was there last month. What tips he had give you and did his advice help you?
He gave me a few tips on my all round technique.

Also what is your favourite memory as a child of the game of cricket in Sargodha?
Playing an under 19 final for Sargodha, I scored 196 that day and did really well.

Which players that he has seen on the domestic circuit last year impressed him most, the best fast bowler who has not been recognized so far, the best batsman, the best spin bowler and the best wicketkeeper?.
Asif Zakir as a bat. Rauf as a pacer, Mansoor Amjad as spinner and Salman as a keeper.

Hafeez do you think you could take up off-spin bowling full time and would u be able to play as a hard-hitting batsman down the order? Are you able to hit big shots or are you someone who prefers working the ball for quick singles and safe boundaries?
I can play either way, I can play big and cheeky shots when the time is needed, but I didnt get that chance as such in the games I played at the higher level and due to the match situations. Shoaib Malik has adapted and done well from 7 to 3, and I am sure I can do the same.

If you could turn back the clock and are able to face Shaun Pollock again, what would you do differently to be able to play him with more success/ freedom?
Nothing, just play him the same way, i was nervous and under pressure. I would play him to my normal game and natural strengths. He got me out twice I think. I would play him well inshallah

Have you really analyzed those four games against SA and figured out what was it that made you look like a sitting duck against Pollock in particular?
Yes I have. Let me tell you that the management forced me to play as I was bowling well but not batting well. They wanted me to play and that didnt help me.

Do you feel that your technique has improved and that you can play Pollock, in future, more easily?
I would play him normally now.

Do tell us about any adjustments that you have made in your batting since that series and who has helped you the most with those adjustments?"
Yes, I was sick of the coaches telling me this and that and go back to what got me there in the 1st place.

Many thanks and inshallah I hope you are all well. Please pray for me in the future.

Finally a question for you. Please give your honest opinions on what you think of me as a cricketer.


I'm sure I speak for all at PakPassion when thanking Noddy bhai for arranging this Question and Answer Session and also many thanks to Mohammed Hafeez for taking out the time from his busy schedule in answering our questions.