Trouble Brewing In Pakistan As Inzamam Skips Meeting Following Hafeez's Resignation
Pakistan faced an exit from Super-4s in Asia Cup 2023 (AP Photo)
As we build up to the much-anticipated ODI World Cup tournament, Pakistan Cricket finds itself in the midst of heightened controversy. The Men in Green’s poor show in the recently concluded Asia Cup tournament has shaken the higher authorities to the core. Following Pakistan’s humiliating exit from the tournament, reports began circulating about a possible rift between Babar and his men.
Amidst dressing room tensions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) team management has also experienced some unsettling developments over the past few weeks. On Thursday, Pakistan's former captain Mohammad Hafeez announced his resignation from PCB's Cricket Technical Committee. His exit has fueled widespread speculation about the team’s preparations leading up to the World Cup.
The review meeting was held in the presence of PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, captain Babar Azam, head coach Grant Bradburn, Chief Operating Officer Salman Nasser, Usman Wahla, and former Pakistani skipper Misbah ul Haq.
Notably, Inzamam Ul Haq was absent from the meeting. According to the PTI sources, Inzamam decided to skip the meeting as he felt it was not the right time to hold such an exercise.
“Inzamam is a very strong-headed person and he didn’t agree with the move by Chairman Zaka Ashraf to call such a review meeting and make Babar and Bradburn face uncomfortable questions by Misbah, Hafeez, and other board officials,” the source said.
Being a former skipper himself, Inzamam felt strongly that this was a time to bolster the team spirit instead of posing tough questions to them.
Pakistan are slated to play their first warm-up game of the ODI World Cup against New Zealand in Hyderabad.
They will face Australia in another warm-up game before commencing their World Cup journey against Netherlands on October 6.
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