The war of words between Mohammad Hafeez and Ramiz Raja continues as Ramiztook a dig at veteran all-rounder for making himself unavailable for theT20I series between Pakistan and South Africa.——————————

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According to reports, Hafeez communicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) about his unavailability before the team toured New Zealand. Hafeezis currently taking part in the Abu Dhabi T10 league and would not havebeen able to join the bio-secure bubble in Pakistan by the given deadline.

All players selected in the T20I squad are to join the bio-secure bubble by3 February, while the Abu Dhabi T10 league is scheduled to conclude by 6February.

Ramiz believes that preferring franchise leagues over the national teamshows the level of thinking of the player. Ramiz said that if a playerchooses franchise leagues over their national team, then they are not onthe right path.

“One should think about Pakistan instead of being selfish because nobodywill back you,” Ramiz said.

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Ramiz added that Pakistan made numerous sacrifices over the years, andfinally international teams are willing to tour the country, so everythingshould be according to the safety and COVID-19 protocols. He said that evenif there are last-minute changes, players should be ready and willing togive their all to don the green jersey.

Ramiz said that the likes of Asif Ali and Haris Rauf were also taking partin various franchise leagues but cut their deals short and came back tojoin the national squad.

The animosity between Ramiz and Hafeez began a few years back when Ramizsaid that Hafeez should retire and let a youngster take his place. Hafeezreplied that he would play as long as he is fit. Hafeez then took a dig atRamiz recently when he said that his son has better cricketing sense thanRamiz.