Pakistan Embraces Modern Cricket: New Team Director Hafeez Unveils Strategy

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, who was recently appointed as the team director, has outlined his vision for the national side, emphasizing the need to adopt modern-day cricket techniques.

Hafeez, who took over the reins from Mickey Arthur after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the recent World Cup, is keen to bring about a transformation in the team's approach and style of play.

Ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia, Hafeez has called on his players to embrace a more aggressive and proactive approach, stressing the importance of adapting to the demands of modern cricket.

"We have to play modern-day cricket and by following it then results will come in a better way for us," Hafeez stated during the team's pre-departure press conference.

He further emphasized the need for individual players to maximize their skills for the collective benefit of the team, stating that his primary goal is to serve the Pakistan team and bring about improvement.

Acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, Hafeez acknowledged that it will take time for the players to fully grasp his philosophy, but he stressed that the key lies in intent and the drive to dominate during matches.

"Modern-day cricket demands impactful performances. You have to remain ahead of the game and play aggressive game, which we have to adopt," he asserted.

Hafeez also expressed his belief that stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing modern-day cricket can help Pakistan overcome its opponents with more impactful performances.

"It can help you to beat other teams with more impactful performances. It is a simple mantra which we need to adopt. To achieve the goal the team is looking forward to and you will see modern-day cricket of Pakistan team in Australia as the first step," he remarked.

During the six-day preparatory camp that preceded the tour, the Hafeez-led team management focused on preparing for the potential challenges that await them in Australia.

Hafeez highlighted the significance of performing under challenging conditions and expressed his desire for the team to embrace these challenges.

"It is a really exciting opportunity for everyone to perform in the challenging conditions (in Australia) and we have to perform," he declared.

Hafeez also clarified his role as team director, emphasizing that his responsibility lies in formulating the team's strategy, while the support staff and players are responsible for executing it.

However, he also took full responsibility for the team's performance in case of a failure, while crediting the players for their success.

Hafeez's appointment is part of a post-World Cup revamp of the national team setup, which also includes the appointment of former pacer Wahab Riaz as chief selector and Shan Masood as Test captain following Babar Azam's resignation.

Addressing concerns about the lack of experience among the newly appointed trio, Hafeez asserted that inexperience is not a factor and that professionalism is key.

He expressed his confidence in the coaching staff, chief selector, and captain, stating that they have all performed well for Pakistan in the recent past.

Regarding Babar's relief from captaincy, Hafeez believes it will allow him to bat with more freedom and contribute more effectively as a batsman.

Hafeez also revealed that he reached out to Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Amir to inquire about their availability to play for Pakistan.

He stated that Haris and Imad initially requested a few days to make a decision, but later declined, while Amir expressed his desire to only participate in T20 leagues.

Hafeez further announced that the PCB will unveil a new policy regarding NOCs for T20 leagues, emphasizing that all centrally contracted players must prioritize Pakistan over league cricket.

In conclusion, Hafeez's appointment marks a new era for Pakistan cricket, with a focus on modernizing the team's approach and style of play to achieve greater success on the international stage.