(Credit X)
The Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a significant decision ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, starting on June 1.
The PCB recently refused to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Usama Mir for participating in England’s T20 Blast, stating that he had already played his allotted quota of overseas leagues for the year.
Following this decision, Mohammad Hafeez criticized the board and questioned Pakistani fans and media, asking where their criticism is now, as they had been consistently critical of him when he served as the Pakistan cricket team director and head coach.
Mohammad Hafeez criticizes Pakistani media and PCB over NOC issue
Hafeez pointed out that he was heavily criticized for issues like the NOC policy and questioned why the protectors of Pakistan cricket are now silent. The former captain also suggested that he lost his job because of the NOC controversy.
Hafeez was appointed as the interim Pakistan team director and head coach by the Zaka Asraf-led PCB management in November last year. However, reports of his strict approach and some controversial decisions led to his removal by Naqvi.
Additionally, during his tenure, Pakistan was whitewashed by Australia in a T20I series and lost 4-1 to New Zealand in another T20I series, which disappointed many. Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf was also excluded from the Test tour to Australia because he wanted to play in the Big Bash League (BBL), which was against Hafeez’s wishes, leading to the loss of Rauf’s PCB central contract. Hafeez also barred Under-19 cricketers from participating in Pakistan’s domestic national T20 Cup. These issues contributed to his dismissal from the Pakistan cricket setup.
Mohammad Hafeez criticizes Pakistani fans and media.
But now Mir’s NOC drama handed him the chance to slam the PCB for making issues with his choices, and now they are doing the same, but nobody is saying anything. The former Pakistani all-rounder has openly slammed the fans and “paid media” for unnecessarily targeting him when he was on the charge.
Mohammad Hafeez posted on X: “Five months ago under my 2 months directorship with the Pakistan team all Pakistan sports media & paid social media trends criticized me on many non-committed sins like NOC policy. Who is to blame now??? It’s a mutual agreement between players & PCB on a central contract.”
Notably, Pakistan recently secured a T20I series victory in Ireland, yet the team’s overall performance hasn’t shown significant improvement, evidenced by a heavy loss in the second T20I in England.
Two matches of the current four-match T20I series were washed out due to rain, but the Men in Green are now aiming to conclude their UK tour with a win in the final game on May 30.
