Razzaq fined over Hafeez outburst

Abdul Razzaq, the Pakistan allrounder, has been fined one lakh rupees (approx $1050) for his criticism of the team's captain Mohammad Hafeez after the World Twenty20. The PCB had issued Razzaq a showcause notice last week asking him to explain his comments about Hafeez. Razzaq apologised for his remarks but was still fined by the PCB.

Razzaq and Hafeez appeared before the PCB chairman to clarify after which Razzaq accepted his mistake He said he had no issues with the captain and what he said was in the heat of the moment. "I accept my mistake for breaching the code of conduct," Razzaq told reporters after the meeting.

"I never had any problems with Hafeez and I accept that my outburst against him was unfair. I have already apologised for it," Razzaq added.

On his return from Sri Lanka, Razzaq had criticised Hafeez for selecting him in only one game of the World T20. "It was Hafeez's decision not to pick me for the semi-final, not anyone else's," Razzaq had told reporters in Lahore. "I know the team management didn't drop me, it was Hafeez alone who didn't want me to play."

Hafeez insisted that axing Razzaq from the final XI was a decision taken by the team management. "He [Razzaq] is our asset and has been serving Pakistan for long," Hafeez said. "I don't want to say much about what he said about me, but I insist that the decision not to play him was taken by the team management."

"He is not only senior in age but also in experience. Whatever happened is in the past now. Cricket must go on. I wish the best for Razzaq and Pakistan team."