Mohammed Hafeez relieved after finding form against South Africa ? Cricket News Update
Pakistan?s T20 skipper, Mohammed Hafeez, expressed relief after his all-round performance helped his side win the two-match T20I series against South Africa by a 1-0 margin.
After being thoroughly outplayed in the longer version, where they were clean swept 3-0, the tourists finally recorded their first official victory of the tour, winning the second T20 by an convincing 95-run margin. The victory also brought Hafeez his first silverware as captain, after the first T20 game had been washed out.
It was further a personal triumph for the all-rounder, who overturned his abysmal form to put in a Player of the Match Performance. Having managed just 43 runs from six innings in the longer version, Hafeez scored a delightful half-century, which helped the team to post an intimidating 195 on the board.
He then further got into the act with the bowl as well, claiming three crucial wickets as the Proteas were bundled on a lowly 100 in just 12.2 overs.
"I knew that I was playing very well in the nets, it's just that I was getting good balls in the Test series and that was disappointing," he said. "But I stayed positive, the coaches kept me positive and worked hard with me."
The other positive to come out of the match was the performance of Ahmed Shehzad, who scored a quick-fire 46 to get his team off to an attacking start. Following the early wicket of Nasir Jamshed, Shehzad combined with his skipper to add 83 in 7.4 overs, further providing a strong case for permanent selection as an opener, a position once filled by Hafeez himself.
While the shuffle brought positive results, Hafeez reiterated his desire to open the innings if an opportunity arises.
"I always prefer to come as an opener but this is the requirement of the team. We are looking to the future and Ahmed Shehzad has been doing well domestically and we wanted to give him a chance. I will do whatever I have to for the team."
The two teams will now take part in the five-match ODI series, which begins on March 10 at Bloemfontein.
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