“#RIP Pakistan domestic cricket,” Hafeez wrote that drew mixed reactions from Pakistani fans. While some criticized Hafeez, alleging that his tenure as team director was a failure, others supported his assertion.
Earlier in the day, PCB announced the squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.The matches will be played in Rawalpindi (April 18, 20 and 21) and Lahore (April 25 and 27).
The squad saw the return of Amir and Wasim after both the players reversed their decisions of retiring from international cricket.
Amir, who was convicted for spot-fixing charges and also briefly did jail time in England, had last played international cricket in 2020 before calling it quits to ply his trade in T20 leagues. He retired from international cricket due to his differences with erstwhile coaches Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younis.
Imad, a spin all rounder had retired from international cricket in November 2023 but took back his retirement after persuasion from the board and selectors after he had a productive Pakistan Super League in which the team won the title.
PCB on Monday appointed former all rounder Azhar Mahmood as head coach of the national men’s team. Mahmood represented Pakistan in 164 internationals, taking 162 wickets and scoring 2,421 runs. He was the bowling coach from 2016-19.
Former paceman Wahab Riaz has been appointed as the senior team manager, while former captain Mohammad Yousuf will be the batting coach and Saeed Ajmal the spin-bowling coach.
Pakistan had a major shake-up after last year’s fifty-over World Cup in India with head coach Mickey Arthur replaced and Babar Azam stepping down as captain of all three formats.
At first, Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed white-ball captain, Shan Masood Test skipper and Mohammad Hafeez team director.
But after Mohsin Naqvi was elected as PCB chairman he restructured the selection panel and reappointed Azam as white-ball captain.