Mohammad Hafeez to be team's head coach for Australia, NZ tour: report

Mohammad Hafeez, who was appointed as Pakistan team director, will also serve as the team's head coach for the upcoming series against Australia and New Zealand, reported Cricinfo on Friday. 

The cricket body had a reshuffle following Babar Azam's resignation as the team's captain after a humiliating exit from World Cup 2023.

Hafeez will take on a dual role for the three Test matches in Australia and five T20Is in New Zealand in December and January. 

According to Cricinfo, Hafeez does not have any coaching experience until now, however, the current Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) administration "views the two roles as superfluous".

PCB had not appointed anyone as the team director until this year. Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi signed a deal with Mickey Arthur who took on the role remotely. 

Arthur travelled with the team for certain series and tournaments and supervised the players under Grant Bradburn's stewardship when he was not with the side.

"When both Arthur and Bradburn were with the side, it was felt there was no distinct difference between their specific jobs, something that has prompted the current PCB administration to do away with the extra role," said Cricinfo.

Pakistan cricket saw a major restructuring as the cricket body named Shan Masood as Test captain and Shaheen Afridi as T20I captain. 

Moreover, there is still the position of chief selector that remains vacant with Wahab Riaz leading the race. 

Pakistan team is set to leave for Australia on November 30 and play a warm-up game against the Prime Minister's XI at the Manuka Oval from December 6 to 9. The first Test will start in Perth on December 14.

Pakistan tour of Australia

First Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Second Test: December 26-30, MCG

Third Test: January 3-7, SCG

Pakistan tour of New Zealand

12 Jan – 1st T20I, Auckland

14 Jan – 2nd T20I, Hamilton

17 Jan – 3rd T20I, Dunedin

19 Jan – 4th T20I, Christchurch

21 Jan – 5th T20I, Christchurch