Zaka Ashraf Reveals Reason Behind Mohammad Hafeez's Decision To Resign From PCB Cricket Technical Committee

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has all but revealed the main reason behind Mohammad Hafeez’s decision to leave the PCB Cricket Technical Committee. Less than two months after being named to the Technical Committee, the former Pakistan allrounder resigned from his volunteer role.

The resignation came just after a meeting that took place earlier this week to review Pakistan’s poor performance in the Asia Cup. Zaka Ashraf has revealed that both Mohammad Hafeez and his fellow Technical Committee member Misbah-ul-Haq wanted a number of changes in the team for the World Cup after the team’s poor performance but captain Babar Azam as well as chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were against it.

Revealing the details of the meeting, Ashraf said: “It was important to review the Asia Cup performance. Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq have been advising me on essential matters.

“Both Misbah and Hafeez wanted big changes in the squad because of the team’s Asia Cup performance while our captain, Babar Azam, and the chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, didn’t want to change the squad.

“We went with the advice of Babar Azam and Inzamam-ul-Haq in the wider interest of the World Cup and the Pakistan cricket team,” he added.

And PCB’s stance could be the key reason behind Mohammad Hafeez’s resignation. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his decision although he did not reveal the reason behind it.

Babar Azam backs Shadab Khan:

Zaka Ashraf also revealed that captain Babar Azam was instrumental in Shadab Khan’s selection for the World Cup. Shadab not only made it to the squad but has also held on to the vice-captain’s post. There were some reports suggesting that he might be dropped from the team after the poor displays in the Asia Cup.

“It was Babar’s wish that Shadab remains the vice-captain during the World Cup,” Ashraf said. “However, if he doesn’t perform, he will be dropped.”

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr

Traveling reserves: Mohammad Haris (wk), Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed