Mohammad Hafeez shown the door by the PCB

LAHORE: Mohammad Hafeez, the Team Director at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has separated from the organization, as per insider sources.

According to a news report by Geo News, the split allegedly arose after Hafeez sought a meeting with the 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 accommodate Hafeez’s request for a meeting, leading to tensions between the two.

Traffic plan prepared for PSL-9 matches in Lahore

It’s understood from sources close to the matter that the PCB administration has shown a lack of interest in continuing to work with Hafeez, prompting the decision to part ways. Hafeez assumed the role of Team Director in November of the previous year.

Hafeez, a former Test captain, boasts an illustrious cricket career, featuring in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is, amassing a total of 12,780 runs and claiming 253 wickets.

Moreover, there have been murmurs about a strained relationship between Hafeez and some senior players during the recent tour of New Zealand. Allegedly, players expressed discontentment with Hafeez’s prolonged meetings and his perceived authoritarian approach to team management.

Sarfraz Ahmed steps down as Quetta Gladiators’ captain

Adding to the tension, concerns were raised over the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players participating in various cricket leagues. While NOCs were readily granted to star players for the Indian Premier League (IPL), Hafeez reportedly hesitated when approached for NOCs for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), potentially jeopardizing players’ contracts.

Insiders within the team have hinted at the possibility of further deterioration in the relationship between Hafeez and the players if there is no resolution to the current issues plaguing both parties.