LAHORE: Mohammad Hafeez, the team director at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has parted ways with the organisation, according to insiders.
The split reportedly occurred after Hafeez requested a meeting with newly appointed PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to present his report on the recent cricket tour of Australia and New Zealand.
However, sources indicate that Naqvi did not accede to Hafeez’s request for a meeting, leading to tension between the two.
From sources close to the matter, it is clear that the PCB administration has shown a lack of interest in continuing to work with Hafeez, leading to the decision to part ways. Hafeez took over the role of team director in November of the previous year.
A former Test captain, Hafeez boasts an illustrious cricket career, amassing a total of 12,780 runs and taking 253 wickets in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is.
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Moreover, during the recent New Zealand tour, there were rumors of a strained relationship between Hafeez and some of the senior players. The players have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Hafeez’s extended meetings and his perceived authoritarian approach to leading the team.
Adding to the tension were concerns over the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to players participating in various cricket leagues. While NOCs were easily granted to star players for the Indian Premier League (IPL), Hafeez reportedly hesitated when he approached the NOCs for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), potentially jeopardizing the players’ contracts.
Insiders in the team have hinted at the possibility of further deterioration in the relationship between Hafeez and the players if the current issues plaguing both sides are not resolved.
