Mohammad Hafeez's Chair As Pakistan Team Director Hanging By The Thread After Australia And New Zealand Drubbing
Published - 17 Jan 2024, 01:05 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:25 AM
After just two series at the helm of the Pakistan team, Mohammad Hafeez’s future appears to be hanging in the balance, according to reports. The former Pakistan captain was appointed as the Team Director of Pakistan in November last year immediately after the Men in Green’s disastrous campaign in the World Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) implemented a series of changes after the team failed to advance beyond the league stage in the World Cup. Alongside the appointment of new captains, the PCB also undertook a significant overhaul of the backroom staff.
And just two months into his new role as Team Director, Mohammad Hafeez’s long-term future is reportedly in doubt. Although the former allrounder had expressed interest in a long-term contract, the committee, limited to handling day-to-day affairs, lacks the authority to finalize such decisions.
According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, a letter was sent by the committee to secure government approval but it did not receive a positive response. The report further stated that the PCB Management Committee’s meeting scheduled for Tuesday (January 16) was unexpectedly canceled.
Pakistan’s performance under Mohammad Hafeez:
Pakistan have failed to do well on the field and it could hurt Mohammad Hafeez’s chances of continuing as the team director. They are yet to win a single match since the PCB appointed Mohammad Hafeez as the director and named new captains.
His first assignment was the tour of Australia where Pakistan played three Tests and ended up losing all of them. The Shan Masood-led side lost the first game by 360 runs before suffering a 79-run defeat in the second Test. They managed to take a first-innings lead in the third Test but still ended up suffering an 8-wicket defeat.
The story has not changed much in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand as well. Pakistan have already conceded the five-match series with two games remaining. In all three games, Pakistan’s bowlers as well as batters failed to pose a challenge for New Zealand. The Black Caps won the first game by 46 runs before winning the second and third games by 21 runs and 45 runs respectively.
