The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed on November 15 that Mohammad Hafeez, a former all-rounder and recent member of the PCB’s technical committee, is now the director of the Pakistan Men’s cricket team.
Hafeez has succeeded Mickey Arthur in this position and was a key player in Pakistan’s successful 2017 Champions Trophy campaign. Hafeez played 392 matches for Pakistan, amassing nearly 13,000 runs and taking over 250 wickets.
According to a PCB statement regarding Hafeez’s appointment:
“Former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez has been given the responsibility of Director – Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team. Mohammad Hafeez has featured for Pakistan in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is and has scored 12,780 runs and has taken 253 wickets.”
The PCB also said they are going to announce changes to the coaching staff for the upcoming Australian tour in the next few days.
“The PCB has changed the portfolio of the Pakistan coaching staff. All coaches will continue to work in National Cricket Academy while PCB will announce the new coaching staff in due course for the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand,” the statement added.
Despite high expectations following their rise to the No.1 ranking, Pakistan had a tough time in the Asia Cup and World Cup. They ended up at the bottom in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup and failed to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals, finishing fifth in the points table.
Babar Azam resigns as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team in all formats
As part of the changes in the Pakistan coaching staff, Babar Azam resigned from his captaincy role today.
After leading Pakistan to No.1 in ODI rankings at the Asia Cup’s start, Babar Azam faced criticism for his captaincy during the 2023 World Cup, despite winning 78 of 134 games.
Regarding Babar’s decision to step down, PCB management committee chairman Zaka Ashraf commented:
“The PCB respects his decision and continues to support him as a player. He [Babar] is one of the best batters Pakistan has ever produced. He is our asset, and we will continue to support him,” Ashraf said while lauding the right-hand batter.
“We want to see him grow as a great batter and now without his additional burden of the captaincy, he can focus more on his performances. We respect his decision and will continue to back him.”
Due to Babar’s choice, Shaheen Afridi is now the T20I captain, and Shan Masood is the Test skipper; the ODI captain is yet to be decided. Pakistan is set to face Australia in a three-Test series beginning in Perth on December 14.
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