The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have parted ways with Pakistan director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez after a disastrous stint with the national team.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board extends heartfelt gratitude to Mohammad Hafeez, Director Pakistan men’s cricket team, for his invaluable contributions. 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,” PCB tweeted.
Hafeez, the former Pakistan captain, assumed the role of Director Cricket in November of last year after Pakistan’s horror show in World Cup 2023. With an illustrious career spanning 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is, he has scored 12,780 runs and taken 253 wickets for Pakistan.
However, his tenure hasn’t been without its challenges. Reports surfaced suggesting a strained relationship between Hafeez and some senior players during the New Zealand tour. Criticisms were directed at his management style, particularly his penchant for lengthy meetings and a perceived rigid approach.
Moreover, tensions escalated when Hafeez displayed reluctance in granting NOCs to players like Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Azam Khan for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), jeopardizing their contracts. This contrasted sharply with the swift issuance of NOCs for their participation in the ILT20.
These incidents have underscored the complexities of Hafeez’s dual role as a former player turned cricket administrator, highlighting the delicate balance required to navigate the intricacies of team management and player relations.
