Mohammad Hafeez questions appointment process for PCB chief

Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has raised questions over the appointment of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman. The position at helm is currently held by Ramiz Raja and Hafeez doesn’t seem too pleased with the same. The 41-year-old also criticized the abolishing of departmental and bank teams in domestic cricket, saying the decision has left many domestic cricketers jobless and without any future.

For the unversed, PCB, a couple of years ago, scrapped the departmental and bank teams on the directions of Prime Minister and former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. Notably, Imran himself played a lot of domestic cricket for the national airlines and other departments during his playing days. Meanwhile, Hafeez also called out the selection system and said the PCB chief should be finalized with elections. Notably, Raja was selected after Imran Khan nominated his name to the governing body.

The current process is not correct: Mohammad Hafeez

“The present process is not correct because presently the chairman PCB was elected under a selection system and the procedure for selection of PCB chairman is not right. The PCB chairman comes on political grounds and the chairman who comes politically does not understand cricket at all,” Hafeez told Geo News.

Meanwhile, Hafeez, earlier this month, brought curtains to his illustrious international career, which spanned over 18 years. While Hafeez retired from Test cricket in December 2018, the 2019 World Cup was his last assignment in ODI colours. However, he continued to do well in T20Is even in his latter stages of his career. The T20 World Cup 2021 saw Hafeez’s last outing in national colours. Overall, Hafeez appeared in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is.

“I represented Pakistan with great pride, and whatever I have played throughout my 18 years, I played with dignity. And whether it’s on the field or off the field, I tried to raise Pakistan’s flag high. I am very happy and satisfied with my career and achievements, which were all for Pakistan. So this is it for me,” said Hafeez in a statement. As of now, the veteran all-rounder is plying his trade for Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022.