🏏 Mohammad Hafeez Urges PCB to 'Prioritise' Red-Ball Cricket After South Africa Test Win | Cricketory Insights
Pakistan’s commanding 93-run victory over South Africa in the opening Test at Gaddafi Stadium wasn’t just another win — it was a reminder of the nation’s true cricketing DNA. Among the voices celebrating this triumph was Mohammad Hafeez, who called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to refocus on red-ball cricket as the foundation for long-term success across all formats.
In this Cricketory Insights exclusive, we analyze Hafeez’s remarks, the logic behind his statement, and what Pakistan must do to rebuild a stronger red-ball structure for sustained dominance.
🧠 Hafeez’s Call: “Fix Red-Ball Cricket, Fix Everything”
Moments after Pakistan sealed their victory in Lahore, Hafeez posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“All formats technical & tactical issues will be resolved if we pay detail attention to red ball cricket of Pakistan. PCB management should prioritise red ball cricket at all levels. Best wishes Mohsin Naqvi.”
The message was short but powerful — a clear critique of Pakistan’s inconsistent investment in Test cricket and an urgent call to rebuild its foundation.
Hafeez’s statement struck a chord with fans and analysts alike, many of whom believe Pakistan’s decline in consistency, temperament, and technique stems from the neglect of red-ball structure at domestic and grassroots levels.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Test Triumph: A Sign of Hope
Pakistan’s 93-run victory over South Africa was as strategic as it was emotional. The Gaddafi Stadium crowd witnessed a classic five-day battle where patience, skill, and discipline overcame brute force.
🦅 Match Highlights Recap:
- Pakistan 1st Innings: A resilient batting display anchored by Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
- South Africa 1st Innings: Early collapse under Shaheen Afridi’s swing pressure.
- Pakistan 2nd Innings: Controlled aggression led by Babar Azam’s classy fifty.
- South Africa 2nd Innings: Folded for 183 chasing 277 — Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi shared 8 wickets.
🔥 Key Bowling Performances:
- Shaheen Afridi: 4/33 – lethal with the new and old ball.
- Noman Ali: 4/79 – the spin weapon South Africa couldn’t handle.
This win gave Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the two-match series, and more importantly, a perfect start to their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 campaign.
🧩 Why Hafeez’s Words Matter
Mohammad Hafeez isn’t just a former captain — he’s a thinker of the game. His call to prioritise red-ball cricket stems from a deep understanding of how Test cricket builds the foundation for technical excellence.
⚙️ Red-Ball Cricket: The Root of All Formats
- Technique Refinement: Facing the red ball sharpens defensive skills and shot selection.
- Mental Strength: Test cricket teaches patience, temperament, and game awareness.
- Bowling Discipline: Bowlers learn accuracy, length variation, and sustained pressure tactics.
- Team Unity: Five-day games foster resilience and tactical communication.
Without a strong red-ball base, players often enter white-ball cricket with flawed techniques and short-term instincts, leading to collapses under pressure — something Pakistan has faced repeatedly in T20s and ODIs.
🏛️ PCB’s Dilemma: Balancing Formats
While T20 leagues dominate the cricket economy, Hafeez’s statement exposes a growing concern: Pakistan’s domestic red-ball ecosystem is underfunded and undervalued.
📉 Current Challenges:
- Limited Red-Ball Fixtures: Domestic four-day tournaments like the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy receive little exposure.
- Low Incentives: Players prefer franchise cricket due to better pay.
- Inconsistent Selection Policies: Red-ball performers often ignored for national selection.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Pitches designed for limited-overs cricket hinder spin and swing development.
If the PCB hopes to build a future-proof team, it must restore red-ball cricket’s prestige — both financially and culturally.
⚡ Cricketory Insights: The Red-Ball Revival Blueprint
Cricketory analysts propose a five-point plan that aligns perfectly with Hafeez’s vision:
🏏 1. Strengthen Domestic Red-Ball Leagues
- Expand the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to feature regional representation.
- Introduce player performance bonuses for century-makers and five-wicket hauls.
- Ensure televised coverage and highlight packages for greater visibility.
🎓 2. Technical Training at the Grassroots
- Create red-ball academies for U-16 and U-19 levels.
- Focus on teaching swing bowling, long-format batting, and mental conditioning.
- Include ex-players like Hafeez, Misbah, and Younis Khan as mentors.
💰 3. Increase Red-Ball Pay Scale
- Offer central contracts emphasizing Test cricket incentives.
- Reward players for long-format consistency over T20 cameos.
🧱 4. Invest in Test Venues and Infrastructure
- Prepare spin-friendly and balanced pitches in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Multan.
- Upgrade stadium facilities to attract bigger crowds for Tests.
🌍 5. Red-Ball Marketing and Branding
- Rebrand Tests as “Cricket’s Purest Challenge.”
- Use emotional storytelling campaigns: “Five Days, One Dream – Pakistan’s Test Legacy.”
🌟 Hafeez’s Legacy: From All-Rounder to Visionary
Mohammad Hafeez, often called the “Professor”, has consistently voiced his opinions on Pakistan’s cricketing direction. His views are not reactionary; they’re rooted in a lifetime of observing patterns in player development.
He believes the decline in Test intensity has hurt Pakistan’s adaptability across formats. When teams lose patience and technique, the ripple effect is visible in T20 chases, ODI collapses, and fielding lapses.
Hafeez’s demand isn’t nostalgic — it’s practical. The countries dominating modern cricket (India, Australia, England) have thriving red-ball programs that fuel their limited-overs strength.
🧱 Lahore Test: Proof That Red-Ball Focus Works
Pakistan’s victory against South Africa was textbook red-ball cricket:
- Batting partnerships built patiently.
- Bowlers applied pressure over long spells.
- Fielders held discipline even during slow phases.
This performance validated Hafeez’s statement — Pakistan’s best cricket emerges when they play traditional Test-style cricket, where precision and patience dominate.
🏆 Player Performances That Define Red-Ball Resilience:
| Player | Contribution | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | 4/33 in 2nd innings | Used swing and seam with mastery |
| Noman Ali | 4/79 | Exploited rough, deceived right-handers |
| Saud Shakeel | Anchored innings | Controlled tempo and rotation |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed | Smart captaincy behind stumps | Tactical awareness under pressure |
🌍 WTC 2025: Pakistan’s New Hope
Pakistan’s win placed them 2nd in the World Test Championship standings with a perfect 100% points percentage, just behind Australia.
If they secure a 2–0 sweep over South Africa, they’ll establish early dominance in the WTC 2025 race — and Hafeez’s dream of a red-ball revival could become a national blueprint.
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100.00 |
| 2 | Pakistan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 100.00 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 4 | India | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 52 | 61.90 |
| 5 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 43.33 |
🧠 Hafeez’s Message to PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi
By tagging PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Hafeez made his message direct and personal. He urged the board to:
- Revamp the red-ball calendar.
- Integrate Test cricket training into all domestic pathways.
- Ensure consistent selection for long-format performers.
Naqvi’s administration, which has already taken steps toward structural reform, will be under pressure to prove that Test cricket still matters in Pakistan’s cricketing culture.
⚔️ The Road Ahead: Rawalpindi Awaits
With the second Test starting October 20 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan have momentum and motivation on their side.
The PCB’s pitch management team, under supervision from Aaqib Javed, is preparing a spin-friendly surface — a strategy that could amplify Pakistan’s red-ball strengths even further.
A win in Rawalpindi would not only give Pakistan a clean sweep but also validate Hafeez’s stance that focusing on the red ball produces tangible success.
📊 Cricketory Insights: Red-Ball Renaissance Incoming?
Cricketory analysts believe Hafeez’s remarks may trigger a crucial policy shift. If PCB responds proactively, we could witness:
- Revival of Test cricket culture in schools and academies.
- Financial parity between formats.
- Broader fan engagement for longer matches through digital storytelling.
This could mark the beginning of Pakistan’s red-ball renaissance, led by former players who understand the importance of long-format development.
🙋♂️ FAQs – Hafeez on Red-Ball Cricket & Pakistan’s Test Future
Q1: What did Mohammad Hafeez say about red-ball cricket?
A: Hafeez urged the PCB to prioritise red-ball cricket, stating that all technical and tactical issues can be resolved if Pakistan focuses on it.Q2: Why is red-ball cricket so important for Pakistan?
A: It enhances player technique, mental toughness, and consistency across all formats.Q3: How did Pakistan win the first Test against South Africa?
A: Pakistan defended 277, bowling South Africa out for 183 with key performances from Shaheen Afridi and Noman Ali.Q4: What’s next for Pakistan in this series?
A: The second and final Test will be played in Rawalpindi from October 20, 2025.Q5: How does this affect Pakistan’s WTC campaign?
A: The win boosts Pakistan’s WTC ranking to 2nd place with 100% points — an ideal start to their campaign.🏏 Cricketory Final Verdict:
Mohammad Hafeez’s call for red-ball prioritisation isn’t nostalgia — it’s a strategic truth Pakistan can’t ignore. Test cricket builds the mental and technical foundation that fuels success in every other format.If the PCB takes action, this Lahore Test win could be remembered not just for the result — but as the moment Pakistan’s red-ball revival began.