In a shocking and awkward TV studio exchange, former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez sparked controversy by criticizing the legacy of Pakistan's cricket greats from the 1990s. The incident occurred during a live television broadcast, where Hafeez was joined by fellow Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar.
Hafeez, who played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is for Pakistan, made some scathing remarks about the cricketing greats of the 1990s, implying that they had not done enough to uplift the game in the country. His comments were met with a mixture of shock and disappointment from Akhtar, who was visibly taken aback by Hafeez's statements.
"I am a huge fan of those who played in the 1990s but when it comes to legacy, they left nothing for Pakistan. They didn't win an ICC event - they lost the (World Cups of) 1996, 1999 and 2003. We reached one final (in the 1999 World Cup) and lost that badly."
Hafeez - "90s mega superstars couldn’t win a single ICC Trophy."
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) March 6, 2025
Shoaib Akhtar - "These 73 one-dayers that Pakistan won against India, it is us who won it."pic.twitter.com/wLFMfGYcYz
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Hafeez had a fiery exchange
The exchange between Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Akhtar became increasingly awkward, with the latter attempting to defend the legacy of Pakistan's cricketing legends. Akhtar argued that the players from the 1990s had laid the foundation for Pakistan's cricketing success and should be respected for their contributions.
"These 73 one-dayers that Pakistan won against India, it is us who won it." When Hafeez tried to acknowledge the efforts, Akhtar interrupted him and said, "No you can't cover up now, this video has been made already. You've already spoken about all big players."
The incident has also raised questions about the relationship between Pakistan's current and former cricketers. The country's cricketing community is known for its close-knit nature, and public disagreements between players are rare.
As the controversy surrounding Hafeez's comments continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved. One thing is certain, however – the legacy of Pakistan's cricketing greats will continue to be celebrated and respected by fans around the world.