LAHORE: The term of Mohammad Hafeez as the director of the Pakistan cricket team will not be extended following the conclusion of his three-month stint, which witnessed disappointing outcomes against Australia and New Zealand. Despite securing only a solitary victory in a T20I match, Pakistan faced defeats in three Test matches against Australia and four T20Is against New Zealand during Hafeez’s tenure.
Upon his return from the challenging tours, Hafeez held a meeting with the acting chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shah Khawer, who is concurrently overseeing the board’s election process for a regular chairman to serve a full three-year term.
Sources disclosed that Hafeez fell short of impressing the acting chairman with his performance, leading to discussions about the potential extension of his tenure through the Ministry of Inter-provincial Coordination.
Hafeez, lacking formal coaching credentials or prior experience in the position, took on the role of team director, succeeding South African Mickey Arthur amid Pakistan’s lackluster performances in the Asia Cup and World Cup last year.
Initially appointed by the former chairman of the PCB Interim Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, for a three-month term, Hafeez’s tenure concluded on Jan 14. Despite Zaka’s recommendation for a four-year extension until the next World Cup, the IPC Ministry has not granted approval thus far.
Sources indicated that Hafeez attributed the team’s lackluster performances to the senior players’ lack of focus, highlighting their preference for playing in foreign leagues over national duties.
Mohammad Rizwan openly criticized Hafeez’s strategies during Pakistan’s series against New Zealand, attributing the team’s setbacks to changes in the batting lineup.
Hafeez reportedly emphasized player performances and accountability to the acting PCB chairman, expressing frustration with senior players and attempting to integrate junior players into the squad to rejuvenate team dynamics.
However, the strategy failed to yield the desired results.