The first signs of discontent in the Pakistan team after its ouster from the World Twenty20 have surfaced with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq expressing his disappointment at being dropped from the lost semifinal against Sri Lanka.
Razzaq, who returned to his hometown Lahore, told the media at the airport that it was the unilateral decision of the captain to not play him although the team management thought differently.
“I know the team management didn’t drop me it was Hafeez and he should now speak up and admit it was his own decision,” Razzaq said.
Hafeez, on returning to Pakistan on Saturday, had claimed that the decision to drop Razzaq was taken by the team management since they wanted to play someone who could bowl spin.
Razzaq was played in just one match of the tournament against Australia, in which he scored a useful 22 runs but was not given a single over by his captain.
In the very next match against Sri Lanka, Hafeez preferred to pick Sohail Tanvir in place of Razzaq in a low scorer — a decision, which has been criticised by former players and critics.
“I was very sad and disappointed to not get a chance to play in the semifinal. I was mentally prepared for the big match and it came as a huge letdown to know I was not playing,” Razzaq said.
“Hafeez should not deflect the blame to the board and management and should own up that it was his decision to drop me,” he added.
