KARACHI — Pakistan's head coach Dav Whatmore Saturday strongly denied wanting Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez replaced, branding such reports as an attempt to demoralize the team before its tour of India. Local media this week reported that Whatmore has suggested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should replace Hafeez, who took over as Twenty20 captain in May. “I wish to clarify that I am currently not in Pakistan and have not given any interview or statement to any media. Neither have I submitted or discussed any such suggestion to the PCB,” Whatmore was quoted as saying in a PCB release. Pakistan reached the semifinal of the World Twenty20 held in Sri Lanka last month, but Hafeez's captaincy was criticized by former players and the media, who blamed him for making arbitrary decisions. However, PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf this week confirmed Hafeez was being retained as Twenty20 captain for the series against India. Bairstow hits ton In Mumbai, Jonny Bairstow hit a century to spare England's blushes Saturday, after a dramatic collapse on the opening day of the three-day tour match against Mumbai ‘A'. The tourists slipped to 66-4 in the first session after electing to bat, before Bairstow's rescue act steered them to 338 for six by stumps at the DY Patil stadium on the outskirts of Mumbai. The 23-year-old made 118 with the aid of 14 boundaries to put himself in contention for the first Test against India starting in Ahmedabad on Nov. 15. Bairstow put on 156 for the fifth wicket with Eoin Morgan (76) and 107 for the sixth with Samit Patel, who followed his century in the tour opener against India ‘A' with an unbeaten 59. Proteas chase big total In Sydney, Alex Doolan posted his best first-class score of 161 not out before Australia A declared its first innings at 480-7 midway through a three-day match with South Africa. The Proteas, preparing for the first of three Tests against Australia, were 128-1 at stumps Saturday on the second day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with captain Graeme Smith not out 60 before he retired to allow other batsmen to the crease. Hashim Amla (27) and J.P. Duminy (2) were the not-out batsmen who will resume Sunday on the final day. Meanwhile, Australia Test all-rounder Shane Watson re-injured his troublesome left calf Saturday while bowling his first over of the day for New South Wales in its domestic Sheffield Shield match with Queensland in Brisbane. Medical staff reported Watson suffered calf soreness and would continue to be assessed. — Agencies
