Pakistan team director Muhammad Hafeez is unlikely to secure a prolonged contract from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), currently overseen by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (Sports) through its representatives.
The ex-Test captain held discussions in Lahore with the acting chairman of the board, election commissioner Shah Khawar, and chief operating officer Salman Naseer regarding the recent tours to Australia and New Zealand, as well as his contract.
Zaka Ashraf, the former chairman of the interim committee managing PCB affairs, initially granted Hafeez a one-month contract as the director of the Pakistan team, with a promise of extending it to three years. However, when Ashraf sent the contract for ministry approval during the team's presence in New Zealand, he was instructed to put it on hold.
Sources indicate that upon Hafeez's return and subsequent meeting with Khawar and Naseer, he was informed that his long-term contract was under review by the ministry. It was also conveyed that the ministry expressed dissatisfaction with his performance during the Australia and New Zealand tours.
The former captain was further notified that the final decision would rest with the incoming chairman, and no assurances could be provided. Interestingly, Hafeez continued working without pay even after his one-month contract expired on December 15 during the Australia tour.
“Hafeez also reminded Naseer that his dues from the tour should be cleared no matter what the ministry or incoming chairman decides,” one source said.
“Hafeez showed interest in continuing as director of the team but the response he got was not very encouraging,” the source added.
Pakistan faced a three-nil defeat in the Test series in Australia and a 4-1 loss in the T20 series in New Zealand.
Mohsin Naqvi, the current caretaker chief minister of Punjab nominated by the ministry to succeed Zaka on the PCB interim committee, is anticipated to reverse several appointments and decisions made by Ashraf.
