One media report states, “He holds very long meetings and gives long lectures, and some of the players become restless as the same information is repeated.”
Hafeez, a former Pakistan captain, was appointed as the Director by the Chairman of the cricket management committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board before the Australian tour. This decision was part of a series of changes made by Zaka Ashraf in the coaching and selection set-up following the World Cup.
In addition to the lengthy meetings, reports suggest that players are also unhappy with the alleged discrimination in granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in foreign leagues. While players like Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi were granted NOCs for the International League T20 in the Emirates, Hafeez reportedly delayed the issuance for some others seeking permission to play in the Bangladesh Premier League.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has delegated the authority to Hafeez to decide on the issuance of NOCs for foreign leagues. Videos and pictures circulating on social media show Hafeez providing guidance on wicketkeeping skills to Azam Khan, as well as offering batting tips and bowling advice to the spinners.
This has raised concerns within the cricket community about whether Hafeez is taking on responsibilities that should be fulfilled by other coaches. Even the foreign batting coach, Adam Hollioake, is said to be unsettled by Hafeez’s involvement in every aspect of the team’s functioning, according to media reports.(Inputs from PTI)
