Mohammed Hafeez axed as Pakistan's national team director: What happened?

Mohammad Hafeez has been relieved off his duties as the national team director of Pakistan. The 43-year-old was appointed as the Director of the Pakistan Cricket Team after the team failed to make it past the group stages of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed the former Pakistan skipper as the team director with the view of having a smooth transition after a woeful display at the World Cup. Hafeez was appointed ahead of Pakistan's trip Down Under. 

However, with four months into the role, Hafeez was on Thursday, axed from his role of directorship. There have been few reasons reported, but in general the parting ways between PCB and Mohammad Hafeez is said to have been on good terms.

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Why was Mohammad Hafeez sacked as Pakistan Team Director?

Mohammad Hafeez was relieved off his duties of Pakistan Team Director by the PCB. Pakistan Cricket Team's performances in the Test Series against Australia only added to the grief of the astonishing display at the World Cup.

Pakistan lost the three-match Test series against Australia by 3-0, having failed to even draw a game, let alone winning any.

The whitewash in the Test series against the Aussies was followed by a agonising display against New Zealand in a five-match T20I series. The visitors lost the series by a margin of 4-1, bringing an end to what was a forgetful two months Down Under.

There have also been reports of Hafeez facing a mutiny from the players who did not agree to his methods.

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What happened between Mohammad Hafeez and the Pakistan players?

There have been reports flowing from the Pakistan media regarding Hafeez's off-the-pitch tussle with the players of Pakistan Team. The major fall-out occurred when the 43-year-old decided to publicly slam Haris Rauf after the pacer refused to play the Australia Test series. 

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi and all-rounder Shadab Khan were among those who were unhappy with Hafeez and his functioning. A bunch of players were unhappy when Mohammad Hafeez rejected their plea to participate in the Domestic T20 Leagues in overseas countries, inspite of the NOC being granted by the PCB.