According to sources, Mohammad Hafeez is favored by the New Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Cricket Management Committee (CMC) Zaka Ashraf, to be appointed as the chief selector — a post that is lying vacant after the previous CMC was dissolved in June.
The former Pakistan Captain and all-rounder is likely to get selected as the chief selector of Pakistan’s National Team after the conclusion of the team’s ongoing Sri Lanka tour.
Mohammad Hafeez who is 42 years old, retired from international cricket last year. He played his first match for Pakistan in 2003. Hafeez played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20 Internationals for Pakistan. He has 12780 runs in his name as well as 253 wickets in international cricket. He has been one of the best for his country, being an all-rounder he has delivered his best when he needed the most. Now, it is high time to bring some new changes and adapt to new responsibilities for him.
“Zaka met with former captain, Rashid Latif and Hafeez and spoke to them about becoming chief selector. Rashid was not keen on the job but Hafeez (has) expressed his availability for the job,” the source told PTI.
“Rashid was more interested in working on anti-corruption issues. Hafeez who played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is for Pakistan before retiring last year, made it clear that he would like the challenge of working as the chief selector,” the source further added to their statement.
Haroon Rasheed was a member of the previous CMC headed by Najam Sethi and was named chairperson of the new-look national selection committee, which includes the team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn.
“But with the previous CMC dissolved, technically Haroon Rasheed is no longer chairperson of the selection committee,” the source concluded.
Zaka Ashraf has also decided to bring some other changes related to the Pakistan Team. As he is looking to bring in a new Team manager and media manager before the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup which will take place in India.
The reports have come out to say, Naveed Akram Cheema who had already worked as a manager in the past is also a strong contender to become a team manager in place of Rehan-ul-Haq.
“It is unlikely the entire selection committee will be changed because of the heavy schedule of the Pakistan team after the Sri Lanka tour as Afghanistan have also confirmed an ODI series in Sri Lanka in August before the Asia Cup,” he said.
