File image of Babar Azam.© AFP
Former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Hafeez did not hold back his feelings as Pakistan completed a stunning comeback and sealed a 2-1 home series win against England. Pakistan rode on the performances of spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali -- two players who had been brought back into the side in the middle of the series -- to defeat England. Hafeez made a tweet that was cryptic in nature as he spoke about 'exposing faces'. While it is unclear as to whom the tweet was directed at, fans interpreted that it may be something to do with star Pakistan batter Babar Azam, who was dropped mid-series.
"Two faces, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, with star impactful performances brought home series win for Pakistan after more than three years. More importantly, their performances exposed many faces," posted Hafeez on X.
Two faces Sajid khan & Noman Ali with star impactful performances brought home series win for Pakistan after more than 3 years. More importantly their performances exposed many faces... pic.twitter.com/rioe1uFXnm
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 26, 2024
After losing the first Test in Multan, Pakistan dropped Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah from the Test side. In their place, Kamran Ghulam, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were brought in. While Ghulam scored a century on debut, Sajid and Noman have taken a combined 39 out of the 40 wickets in the two Tests, leading Pakistan to victory.
Some fans took Hafeez's tweet as a shot at Babar Azam, whose dropping came with a lot of criticism.
exposed many faces and the fact that hyping selfish players for stats and PR is wrong, it should only be for their passion for country. pic.twitter.com/1RaoafUNbc
— \o/era (@LoyalAfridian10) October 26, 2024
Hafeez had served as Pakistan's team director and interim coach between November 2023 and February 2024, before he was removed due to Pakistan's poor results.
Pakistan bundled out England for just 112 on Day 3 of the third Test. Their final target was merely 36, which they chased down in 3.1 overs. It is their first home series win since February 2021.
The win takes Pakistan up to seventh spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle table, while England fall to sixth.