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As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the third and final Test of the Australia vs Pakistan series at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the Pakistani team finds itself amidst a peculiar controversy involving their recently appointed Team Director, Mohammad Hafeez.
It is worth mentioning that the team’s unfortunate series loss against Australia has been compounded by Hafeez’s unexpected missed flight to Sydney for the third Test, raising eyebrows and giving fans an opportunity to unleash their wit and humour.
The year-end setback
The conclusion of 2023 did not bring the desired results for the Pakistan Cricket team. Their disheartening series loss against Australia in the first two games of the three-match Test series left them with a lot to ponder heading into the new year. Eager to salvage some pride and avoid a whitewash, Pakistan aimed to start 2024 on a positive note with a victory in the final Test at Sydney.
Controversy unfolds: Mohammad Hafeez misses Sydney flight
However, the cricketing world was caught off guard when news broke that Hafeez, the newly appointed Team Director, had missed the flight to Sydney. It was reported that Hafeez and his wife arrived late at the airport, leading to them being denied boarding by the airline staff. Social media immediately erupted with speculations and jokes, creating a buzz around the incident.
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Netizens seize the moment
As the news of Hafeez missing the flight spread like wildfire on the internet, cricket enthusiasts wasted no time in expressing their thoughts and opinions. Many fans took the opportunity to troll the former cricketer, highlighting the irony of him imposing fines on players for being late while failing to adhere to the same rules himself. Some even went as far as suggesting that Hafeez’s tardiness was a result of enjoying a leisurely coffee with his wife at the airport.
Fans take dig over inconsistent umpiring excuse
The trolling didn’t stop there, as netizens drew a connection to Hafeez’s earlier comments on inconsistent umpiring being a reason for Pakistan’s loss in the series. Fans cheekily wondered if his own inconsistency in punctuality might have contributed to missing the flight.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Director Mohammad Hafeez missed the flight from Melbourne to Sydney. Hafeez and his wife were at the airport and were having coffee, but they did not check the time of the flight. Later, the couple took another flight to Sydney after a few hours 👀
– via Geo News #AUSvsPAK
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 1, 2024
I wonder if it was the inconsistent umpiring and technology curse that stopped Hafeez being able to turn up to his flight on time?? #AUSvPAK
— Craig M (@diminutiverowdy) January 2, 2024
Team director @MHafeez22 missed team flight to Sydney. He and his wife were roaming at the airport – via Jang#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/RCkgAn1R0d
— muzamilasif (@muzamilasif4) January 1, 2024
Mohammad Hafeez missed the flight from Melbourne to Sydney and was not allowed to board because he arrived late 😂🙌
Legendary start to 2024. Surely it's the technology again this time that made him late 🤭 https://t.co/oj2lYvnqMc
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) January 1, 2024
Hafeez missed flight to Sydney as he was enjoying coffee, should anyone punish mr professor ????
— mohsinali (@mohsinaliisb) January 1, 2024
Hafeez: Practice Abdullah. You couldn't catch the ball.
Abdullah: But coach you couldn't catch the flight. 😎#AUSvPAK #PAKvsAUS #PakistanCricket #PakvAus #Cricket #CricketTwitter https://t.co/T9k3AYY3gB
— Saresh🇮🇳 (@CricSar) January 1, 2024
I was at the right time but the flight timings made me miss the flight – Hafeez Bhai https://t.co/gfddXP4ze4
— Udit (@udit_buch) January 1, 2024
Irresponsibility at His Peak
Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez missed his flight to Sydney due to being busy on enjoyment at the airport with his wife. pic.twitter.com/GZMZ4h0OMo
— Hafeez Alam Ghazi (@GhaziHafeez) January 1, 2024
Bwahahahaha Muhammad Hafeez himself missed the flight for Sydney due to being late 😁 yet he imposed fines etc on players 😁 https://t.co/5AO0d1XqGs
— Shahbaz (@AliBhai13575742) January 1, 2024
Hafeez said He was more punctual than other team-members but still missed the flight. pic.twitter.com/13yvn5w7JU
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 1, 2024
M.Hafeez on to the next flight https://t.co/6mCfWD7W6z pic.twitter.com/s1AuB3i7iv
— عاقد (@aquidtweets) January 1, 2024