DUBAI: Pakistan's chief selector and team manager Moin Khan Tuesday played down the hype over all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez's suspension, hoping other bowlers will come up like they did in the absence of Saeed Ajmal in recent matches.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Sunday suspended Hafeez over illegal bowling action, the second jolt before next year's World Cup after Ajmal's suspension in September.
"Look, there is no panic," said Khan. "Such things happen. There are times when a player gets injured during the course of the match and you just have to cope with the situation. At least we have received this at a time when we can make contingency plans. The bowling options that we have in the team, even they will be mentally prepared. Of course, there will be pressure, and you have to take responsibility and deliver. It’s part of the game."
Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and leggie Yasir Shah took 27 wickets apiece in the five Tests against Australia and New Zealand in Ajmal's absence.
'Hafeez has a huge value both as a batsman and as a bowler. He is an impact player. It surely is a big setback for Pakistan, especially before the World Cup 2015, that his bowling action has been declared illegal.'
But Moin admitted Hafeez's impact is big.
"Of course, Hafeez has a huge value both as a batsman and as a bowler. He is an impact player. It surely is a big setback for Pakistan, especially before the World Cup 2015, that his bowling action has been declared illegal. But I am also sure that just like our players performed in the absence of Saeed Ajmal, we will have spinners who will make use of this opportunity."
Moin said PCB's Bowling Review Group will give its recommendations on when to send Hafeez for retesting.
"We have had a meeting on this and the decision we have come to is that the Bowling Review Group of PCB will have a look and review the report. They will then decide and recommend what has to be done in the future."
Moin said, Hafeez will play in the first of five one-day internationals against New Zealand starting in Dubai from Tuesday.
"Of course, he will play. There is no doubt in my or selection committee’s mind on this. He is a very good bowler, but he is also a very good batsman. We just cannot drop him as a batsman. He has been very consistent and he has done so well for Pakistan in the recent past. So, definitely he will play. We will have to change our strategy a bit to make up for his absence from bowling."
Moin said, the spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed and former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are helpful in dealing with the matter.”
"First of all, these guys were not working with the players and what has happened is all of a sudden. Saqlain was called after it happened and Mushtaq has also recently joined the team. Naturally, it will take some time for them. There is a lot of difference between the arm of a common man and a cricketer. A cricketer develops muscles through continuous play and it becomes difficult for him to straighten his arm after some time.
“These ICC protocols have changed, and all the member countries have accepted these changes. Now we have to go through such situations. It’s difficult, but I am sure with the presence of Saqlain and Mushtaq, the Bowling Review Group, and hopefully, the start of PCB’s own bio-mechanic labs, such instances will become rare in the future."
'I am fully confident in the talent that we have in Pakistan. Just have a look at how Babar and Yasir came in and won us Test matches.'
Moin hoped other bowlers will come up and fill Hafeez's void.
"We will have a look at the situation tomorrow. We have worked a lot on the bowling of several other players, like Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq over the last couple of months and I am sure we will be able to utilize them. So, I don’t think there will be a problem for the captain [in terms of bowling options] and if he has to share some overs, these players are there."
Moin said, ICC's protocols on illegal action should be complied with.
"I can’t comment on this in an official capacity. But as I said, these protocols have been accepted by all the member countries. Some people have criticized the time frame of this, saying it should have been done after the World Cup. But this had to happen sometime. Some teams will benefit from this, some would be disadvantaged. But that’s how it goes. I am fully confident in the talent that we have in Pakistan. Just have a look at how Babar and Yasir came in and won us Test matches.
"It’s all a question of getting a chance."
