Mohammad Hafeez, once at the helm of Pakistan cricket’s leadership, officially steps down from his roles as team director and de facto head coach of the men’s national team. His departure comes just before the kickoff of the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as he gears up to return to the television studios.
Hafeez, who oversaw national team tours to Australia and New Zealand, announced his exit on social media, citing the “new chairmanship” of the board, referring to Mohsin Naqvi, the new PCB chairman.
“I accepted the new role as a director PCB with great passion to make positive reforms but unfortunately my designated tenure which was offered by the PCB for 4 years was cut short for 2 months on the account of new chairmanship,” Hafeez expressed on X (formerly Twitter).
Initially appointed to the dual roles in November, the duration of Hafeez’s stint was uncertain due to the interim administration’s restrictions. The PCB, in a statement, expressed “heartfelt gratitude” to Hafeez, marking the formal end of their association.
While Hafeez’s tenure did not yield significant on-field successes, it was not devoid of controversy. His support for the PCB’s hard line stance towards Haris Rauf and his decision to bar Under-19 cricketers from participating in Pakistan’s domestic National T20 Cup stirred debate within cricketing circles.
Despite the challenges, Hafeez remains accountable for his actions, expressing well wishes for Pakistan cricket’s future endeavors. His departure signals a new chapter as he transitions into his role as a TV analyst for the upcoming PSL season, promising insights and analysis for cricket enthusiasts.
As Pakistan gears up for their next international assignment in April against New Zealand, the cricketing fraternity awaits the dawn of a new era under evolving leadership.
