ISLAMABAD: Former cricket captain and an allrounder Mohammad Hafeez today announced his retirement from international cricket. He, however, said he will continue to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other cricket leagues, but getting retirement from international cricket.
The 41-year-old famous Pakistani cricketer, who got fame as Professor among his fans, announced his decision at a press conference in Lahore today. “I started this journey 18 years ago, and I’m announcing my retirement today,” Hafeez said.
“I played for Pakistan due to the pride (I felt). I didn’t have greed, I didn’t want to earn money, I only played for pride of my country and I have no regrets of any kind. I am completely satisfied with my career. It’s not that physically I cant play on. I could have played the next World Cup as well but I decided to retire myself.”
“If at any time or event in future, any success is attained by the national team, it will be mine as well.”
Hafeez said he neither needs a farewell from the cricket board, nor has he asked for this favour.
Ramiz Raja appreciates Hafeez’s decision
Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja, who has had his war of words with Hafeez over the years, lauded him for his strong work ethic and said he’d adjusted well in all the three formats of the game.
“His game evolved with time, adjusting to different formats quite intelligently,” Raja said. “Later in his career, he became a T20 specialist, where he was never out of touch with modern demands of this testing format. His batsman-ship took a sprightly turn, nailing sixes almost at will.”
Hafeez began his professional cricket career in 2003. He will be remembered more for his exploits in white-ball cricket, especially in T20s, where he was ranked the number one all-rounder in the world in 2014.
His last match in Pakistan colours was the World Cup 2021 semi-final defeat to Australia when he came in to bat at the very end of the innings and finished unbeaten on 1 run off 1 ball. Hafeez most notable contribution in that game was a bizarre double-tip ball that Australia’s David Warner smacked for a six.
