On Wednesday, Mohammad Hafeez, a former cricket player, was named director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The decision was made in response to Pakistan’s cricket team’s disappointing showing at the 2023 ICC World Cup in India and their early elimination from the major cricket competition.
Mickey Arthur has been replaced by Hafeez, who was appointed just hours after Babar Azam resigned as captain of the national team in all three forms. Babar turned down the invitation from the PCB to continue as test captain.
The PCB released a statement that stated, “Former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez has been given the responsibility of Director, Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team.”
The statement further stated that Hafeez was a recent member of the PCB Cricket Technical Committee.
The coaching staff’s portfolio has also undergone modifications by the board.
The PCB stated, “All coaches will continue to work at the National Cricket Academy,” adding that the announcement of the new coaching staff for the forthcoming series in Australia and New Zealand will happen shortly.
The PCB Management Committee Chairman, Zaka Ashraf, had earlier met with Azam, who had decided to resign as the team’s captain. As a result, the board named Shan Masood as the Test captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I captain.
From December 14 until the completion of the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25, Masood will lead the side. The three-match “away” Test series against Australia begins on that day.
The board stated, “The PCB respects his decision and continues to support him as a player,” in response to the 29-year-old’s decision to resign from the position.
“Among the greatest batters Pakistan has ever produced is [Babar].” Shouting at the right-hand hitter, “He is our asset, and we will continue to support him,” Ashraf declared.
“We want to see him grow as a great batter, and now, without the additional burden of the captaincy, he can focus more on his performances.”
“We respect his decision and will continue to back him,” he stated.
