Mohammad Hafeez leaves his post as PCB’s director cricket

Staff Report

 LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has bid farewell to his post as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Director of Pakistan men’s cricket team. The development comes as the newly-appointed PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi refused to entertain Hafeez who had intended to meet the new board chief to submit his report about the tour of Australia and New Zealand. Hafeez had replaced Mickey Arthur as director of cricket in November 2023 amid a major shakeup within the team’s management following the Green Shirts’ dismal performance in Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup 2023. The PCB and Hafeez have decided to part ways as the board isn’t interested in working with the former cricketer. “The Pakistan Cricket Board extends heartfelt gratitude to Mohammad Hafeez, Director Pakistan men’s cricket team, for his invaluable contributions,” the PCB said in a statement. “Hafeez’s passion for the game has inspired players and his mentorship during the tour of Australia and New Zealand have been of immense importance. The PCB wishes Hafeez good luck and success in his future endeavours,” it added. Hafeez has featured for Pakistan in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is and has scored 12,780 runs while also bagging 253 wickets.

Earlier, it was also reported that the relationship between Hafeez and senior players was less than ideal during the tour of New Zealand. According to sources, the players were unhappy with the long meetings conducted by Hafeez as well as the latter’s stern approach with regard to the management of the team. Additionally, No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were issued to star cricketers, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, and others, for their participation in ILT20. However, when players asked for NOCs for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Hafeez hesitated, putting their contracts in jeopardy. Team sources added that it is possible that the relationship between Hafeez and the players could worsen if there is no change in the way both parties are handling things at the moment.