ISLAMABAD: All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has retired from international cricket after representing Pakistan in 392 matches over 18 years.
Hafeez, 41, quit Test cricket in 2018 and played his last ODI in the 2019 World Cup at Lord’s. He was recalled in 2020 for T20 matches and finished the year as the world’s leading run-scorer in the calendar year in the shortest format.
Hafeez announces retirement from international cricket
More details: https://t.co/RYLJ7gp5Ro pic.twitter.com/8PYAfaJlPW— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 3, 2022
“Today I say goodbye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction,” Hafeez said at a media conference in Lahore on Monday wearing the Pakistan team’s green blazer and tie.
“In fact, I have earned and accomplished more than I had initially envisaged and for that, I am thankful to all my fellow cricketers, captains, support staff and the Pakistan Cricket Board who helped me out during my career.”
He said the most painful moment of his career was when his stance on match fixers was refuted by the then PCB chairman, who told him that “they will play, but you can decide for yourself whether you want to play or not.”
Hafeez, in a statement, said that on a matter of match fixing, his “stance was clear and he will not move away from his “principles.”
“I will never forget that moment. For me, that was the lowest point.”
Hafeez said that it was painful to hear how the then PCB chairman turned down his stance.
He stated that he has always worked hard to keep his country’s name on top, and that it was terrible to hear that a person “as honest as me” was forced to choose whether or not to play, while the “match fixers,” who “spoil Pakistan’s pride,” will play.
The management should work together to prevent corrupt elements from infiltrating Pakistani cricket, which could hurt Pakistan’s international reputation, he said.
“In fact, I have earned and accomplished more than I had initially envisaged and for that, I am thankful to all my fellow cricketers, captains, support staff and the Pakistan Cricket Board who helped me out during my career,” Hafeez said.
He said that he has always kept the country and team a priority and tried to impact their profile and image positively by playing hard and tough but within the rich traditions of the spirit of cricket every time he stepped on the field.
“When you have a professional career as long as mine, you’re bound to have your share of highs and lows, and I was no different. Results apart, I can say with conviction that I had more highs as I had the privilege of playing with and against some of the finest exponents of the bat and the ball of my era,” Hafeez said.
He said that cricket has been a great learning school for him and has provided him opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends.
The right-handed batsman scored 12,780 runs in international matches that included 55 Test matches, 218 ODIs and 119 T20s. Hafeez, who was reported for his suspect bowling action several times, also took 253 wickets with his off-spin bowling in all three formats.
During his long career, Hafeez, profoundly known as ‘Professor,’ represented Pakistan in three 50-over World Cups, six T20 World Cups and three ICC Champions Trophy tournaments.
He was a member of the winning squad which won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 but missed the T20 World Cup in 2009 when Pakistan won the trophy in England.
Hafeez will be remembered more for his exploits in white-ball cricket, especially in T20s, where he was ranked No. 1 all-rounder in the world in 2014.
Hafeez said he was satisfied with his career and was proud to don the national kit with the “Pakistan emblem for 18 years.”
“My country and my team have always been at my forefront and therefore, every time I stepped on to the field, I tried to raise their profile and image by playing hard and tough but within the rich traditions of the spirit of cricket,” he said.
PCB chairman Ramiz Raja lauded Hafeez’s strong work ethic and said he’d adjusted well in all three formats of the game.
“His game evolved with time, adjusting to different formats quite intelligently,” Raja said in a statement. “Later in his career, he became a T20 specialist, where he was never out of touch with modern demands of this testing format. His batsmanship took a sprightly turn, nailing sixes almost at will.”
