After just two series in charge of the Pakistan team, Mohammad Hafeez’s future appears to be at stake, according to reports. The former Pakistan captain was appointed Pakistan team manager in November last year, immediately after the Men in Green’s disastrous World Cup campaign.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) implemented a series of changes after the team failed to advance beyond the league stage in the World Cup. In addition to the appointment of new captains, the PCB also carried out a major revamp of backroom staff.
And just two months into his new role as team manager, Mohammad Hafeez’s long-term future is in doubt. Although the former all-rounder had expressed interest in a long-term contract, the committee, limited to dealing with day-to-day matters, lacks the authority to finalize such decisions.
According to a Cricket Pakistan report, the committee sent a letter seeking approval from the government but did not receive a positive response. The report further states that the PCB Management Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday (January 16) was unexpectedly cancelled.
Pakistan’s performance under Mohammad Hafeez:
Pakistan have not performed well on the field and that could hurt Mohammad Hafeez’s chances of continuing as team manager. They are yet to win a single match since the PCB appointed Mohammad Hafeez as manager and appointed new captains.
His first assignment was the tour of Australia where Pakistan played three Tests and ended up losing them all. The Shan Masood-led team lost the first game by 360 runs before suffering a 79-run defeat in the second Test. They managed to take a first innings lead in the third Test but still ended up suffering an 8-wicket defeat.
The story hasn’t changed much in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand either. Pakistan has already conceded the five-match series with two matches left. In all three games, Pakistan’s bowlers and batsmen failed to pose a challenge to New Zealand. The Black Caps won the first game by 46 runs before winning the second and third games by 21 runs and 45 runs respectively.