Shahid Afridi, the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has expressed support for his former teammate Mohammad Hafeez, stating that Hafeez should be given more time in his role as Pakistan’s team director. Afridi, speaking at a private ceremony, mentioned that Hafeez, who took over as team director in November last year, cannot be expected to bring about immediate changes.
Afridi emphasized that Hafeez, having a vast cricketing experience, deserves more time in his current position. He cautioned against expecting everything to transform overnight after just one series.
Hafeez stepped into the role of team director following Mickey Arthur’s tenure. Unfortunately, Pakistan faced challenges in Hafeez’s initial assignment, suffering a clean sweep in the Test series against Australia and a 4-1 loss in the T20I series against New Zealand.
Afridi acknowledged the missed opportunities during the tours of New Zealand and Australia, stating that the team didn’t perform at its best level.
Looking ahead to the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the United States, Afridi suggested avoiding too many changes in the team. He highlighted the importance of strategic player management, stating that while minimal changes are preferable, it’s crucial to make decisions on when to rest or play specific players.