Unsatisfactory outcomes in Mohammad Hafeez’s stint as Team director
Following Pakistan’s disappointing ODI World Cup 2023 campaign, Hafeez was appointed as team director and head coach for the subsequent tours of Australia and New Zealand. Unfortunately, the outcomes were not encouraging, with Pakistan suffering a 3-0 whitewash in the Test series against Australia and a 4-1 defeat in the five-T20I series against New Zealand.
Conversation with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
Hafeez’s tenure with the Pakistan national cricket team concluded last week as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opted not to extend his contract. Reflecting on his tenure, Hafeez revealed details of conversations with Babar and Rizwan during an interview with a local sports channel.
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He emphasized the importance of a collective team effort, reminding the senior batters that cricket is not solely about individual performances but rather the success of the entire team. Hafeez particularly highlighted the time he spent convincing Babar Azam to shift to the No. 3 position in T20Is.
“It took me about two months to convince Babar Azam that you have to do it for Pakistan and you are not the first one who’s doing it. You are a great player, you are a wonderful player and you are playing great cricket however you have to develop Pakistan team. You and Rizwan are very good players, excellent players but you are not the whole team,” Hafeez said.
We need to develop a team and for that I want you to come at number 3 because you have been playing this role in the ODI cricket for last six years, so it won’t affect you; technically you are very solid. Thank you very much to him that he accepted this and he played for Pakistan at number 3 which obviously I think is the best way to move,” the 43-year-old concluded.
Strategic batting order adjustment
Despite the successful opening partnership of Babar and Rizwan, the team management decided to separate them for the T20I series against New Zealand. Acting on Hafeez’s suggestion, Babar moved to bat at No. 3 and produced outstanding results, amassing 213 runs in the five-match series, including three consecutive scores of 50 or more.
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