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Hafeez Likely To Serve As Head Coach For Australia, New Zealand Tours: Reports

Vishal Mehra

image-lp21d4n3Mohammed Hafeez is already Pakistan's Team Director [X.com]

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Following the debacle in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan Cricket is undergoing an overhaul, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) making changes from top to bottom. Former Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez appointed Team Director is now likely to don the role of head coach for the upcoming Australia and New Zealand tour.

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB will merge both these roles - Team Director and Head Coach - and have Hafeez take on dual responsibilities upon his shoulders during three Tests against Australia and five T20I against New Zealand.

Interestingly, Hafeez, 43, retired from international cricket just two years ago and has no background in coaching whatsoever. The current PCB leadership under Zaka Ashraf believes that having two separate roles is excessive.

The role of Team Director was made for Mickey Arthur for his latest stint with PCB, under former PCB chair Najam Sethi, while Grant Bradburn served as head coach under Arthur.

Post the World Cup 2023, Babar Azam has resigned from Pakistan's all-format captaincy, PCB has sacked the entire selection committee, and moved the national team support staff to work at Nation Cricket Academy. 

Shan Masood will lead Pakistan in Tests in Australia, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the T20I side in New Zealand. The first Test starts December 14 in Perth, while the T20Is begin January 12 in Auckland.