Mohammad Hafeez’s Cryptic Post Sparks Controversy in Pakistan Cricket Board

In a surprising turn of events, former Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez took to social media to express his thoughts on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to recall fast bowler Mohammad Amir and left-arm spinner Imad Wasim to the national squad. Hafeez’s cryptic post on his X handle, “#RIP Pakistan domestic cricket,” sparked a debate among Pakistani fans, with some criticizing him for his tenure as team director while others supported his assertion.

The PCB recently announced the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, with matches scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The return of Amir and Wasim to the squad came as a surprise, as both players had previously retired from international cricket.

Amir, who had faced spot-fixing charges and served jail time in England, had retired from international cricket due to differences with former coaches Misbah ul Haq and Waqar Younis. Imad, on the other hand, had retired in 2023 but reversed his decision after a successful Pakistan Super League campaign.

In other news, the PCB appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the head coach of the national men’s team. Mahmood, who represented Pakistan in 164 internationals, will be joined by former players Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf, and Saeed Ajmal in coaching roles.

The Pakistan team has undergone significant changes since last year’s World Cup, with Mickey Arthur being replaced as head coach and Babar Azam stepping down as captain. The restructuring of the team under the new PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has brought back familiar faces to the coaching staff, signaling a new era for Pakistan cricket.