"4-5 players are sleeping in the dressing room" - Mohammad Hafeez recalls shocking scenes during his tenure as Pakistan men's team's director

Former Pakistan men's team's director and head coach Mohammad Hafeez made a stunning revelation regarding his brief tenure with the side. The ex-all-rounder asserted that he wanted the players' focus during and after the match as they cannot suddenly switch off.

According to media reports, Hafeez was a disciplinarian and the players weren't happy with such an attitude. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) got rid of him after the Test tour of Australia and the T20I series in New Zealand.

Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast to Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, Hafeez stated that it was unacceptable for players to sleep in the dressing room during Test matches. He elaborated:

"I went into the dressing room and found 4-5 players are sleeping in the dressing room while playing Test cricket. I was like, 'How come you guys can do that?' If you do something like this, you cannot be a part of this team. I want you guys to stay focussed during the game and off the game, whatever you guys do, it is your own life, I never get involved in it. But in professional timings of the game, I want you guys to focus on the game."

The Men in Green are heavily in focus presently for their disappointing performance in T20 World Cup 2024. They faced a group-stage exit, losing to USA and Team India. Captain Babar Azam has come most under scrutiny due to his lack of intent with the bat.

"You cannot switch yourself off during the game" - Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez (Image Credits: Getty)

The 43-year-old elaborated that the media didn't like him as a disciplinrian, claiming:

"You tell me Gilly, if a player is sleeping in the dressing room and we are playing Test cricket. 4-5 players are sleeping in the dressing room, should I allow that as a team director? You cannot switch yourself off during the game, but unfortunately the media didn't like it."

Pakistan are next likely to be in action in August during the Test series against Bangladesh.