Razzaq in Hot Water over Hafeez Criticism

According to Betfair, Veteran Pakistan all-rounder, Abdul Razzaq, has been given seven days to respond to an allegation that he has violated the players’ code of conduct after his sharp criticism of national captain, Mohammad Hafeez.

"I was disappointed sitting outside while the team was losing the match," Razzaq said, following Pakistan’s narrow defeat to Sri Lanka in the semi-finals of the world T20 in Colombo. 

Razzaq was clearly devastated to have missed the chance of meeting the West Indies in the final and he was clear as to who he blamed for leaving him out of the team. 

"I know the team management didn't drop me, it was Hafeez who left me out. He should speak up and admit his decision," Razzaq said.

Razzaq has certainly been an effective performer for Pakistan since he broke into the one-day side at the age of 17, back in 1996. 

Since his debut against Zimbabwe, he has gone on to play over 200 ODIs as well as nearly fifty tests but this latest outburst could spell the end of his international career. 

Having previously retired from internationals after omission from the 2007 World Cup squad, there is surely only so much more that the Pakistan management will take from the 32 year old. 

Razzaq’s impact on this year’s tournament was limited to just two appearances - one against Bangladesh, where he did not bat and failed to take a wicket when bowling, and one against perennial Betfair cricket odds favourite, Australia, when he scored 22 but was not called upon to bowl.

 

Quite why Razzaq feels that he would have made such a difference to the Pakistani effort against Sri Lanka is known only to himself, but if Hafeez and the management want to build on reaching the semi-finals at the World T20, then they will surely deal with his petulance harshly. 

It would come as no surprise if Razzaq had played his last game for Pakistan and, quite frankly, it would be nobody’s fault but his own.