Former Pakistan all-rounder and ex-team director Mohammad Hafeez lit up social media on Tuesday night with a no-holds-barred Q&A session on X (formerly Twitter), addressing Pakistan cricket’s ongoing struggles and structural flaws — and taking aim at political interference in the PCB.
Hafeez, often dubbed “The Professor” for his sharp cricketing brain, didn’t hold back when asked about the decision-making culture at the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The PCB chairman’s appointment is always based on political background… I don’t know about the rest,” he replied to a fan’s question, indirectly confirming what many within cricketing circles have long whispered — that politics continues to shape Pakistan cricket’s leadership more than merit or vision.
But while Mohammad Hafeez had his share of light-hearted responses, the overarching tone of the session reflected a man deeply invested in the game’s future — especially at a time when Pakistan cricket is battling inconsistency across formats and facing scrutiny from disenchanted fans.
He was quick to defend senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, stating that while the duo needs to “upgrade their approach and skills,” their talent and past contributions to Pakistan’s victories remain unquestionable. “They’ve played a super role in winning matches for Pakistan,” Hafeez wrote, urging fans not to discard them prematurely.
On Rizwan, who has recently been mocked online for his English-speaking ability, Hafeez was direct and firm: “Sad to see people shaming a star for his language ability. Very sad.”
His advice for Babar? A simple, telling phrase: “Keep learning.”
One of the more striking insights came when Mohammad Hafeez criticized the PCB’s selection system, particularly its failure to nurture and promote genuine all-rounders. “Unfortunately, our system at selection times doesn’t promote all-round ability and takes trials only for specialist roles,” he posted, reflecting a broader structural issue that has plagued Pakistan’s team balance for years.
It’s an area where Pakistan once thrived — from Imran Khan to Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi — and Hafeez’s own career serves as a reminder of the value of multidimensional players in modern white-ball cricket.
Mohammad Hafeez’s voice has grown increasingly influential in cricket discourse since his retirement from international cricket in 2021. While his brief tenure in the PCB management was polarizing, his commitment to the game’s betterment has never been in question.
He’s challenged former greats who he claims “left no legacy,” and now, as Pakistan finds itself in another transitional phase, his candid, public feedback offers something the game badly needs — honesty.