Karachi: Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez who captained the national side in all three formats announced his retirement from international cricket. However, he will continue playing franchise cricket across the world. He has signed up with Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League
“Today I say goodbye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction. 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 in a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Cricket Board (PCB).
Hafeez had bid adieu to the longest format of the game back in the year 2018 wherein he ended his nearly 20 years long career. The all-rounder has featured in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is for the country which includes as many as three ICC ODI World Cups and six T20 World Cups. He was a member of the Pakistan squad that won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England and Wales. He made his debut in an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2003 and played his last game for Pakistan against Australia in the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final.
Hafeez announces retirement from international cricket
More details: https://t.co/RYLJ7gp5Ro pic.twitter.com/8PYAfaJlPW— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 3, 2022
“I am extremely fortunate, lucky, and proud to have been considered worthy of donning 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,” Hafeez said in a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Cricket Board (PCB).
He was a member of the Pakistan squad that won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England and Wales. He made his debut in ODI against Zimbabwe in 2003 and played his last game for Pakistan against Australia in the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final.
Needless to say, he has had an illustrious career wherein the all-rounder won 32 Player-of-the-Match awards which are the fourth-highest among Pakistan players in all international cricket. Only Shahid Afridi (43), Wasim Akram(39), and Inzamam-ul-Haq (33) are the other Pakistan greats who are placed ahead of him.
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said Hafeez was a ‘wholehearted cricketer’ who worked tirelessly for his game. “His game evolved with time, adjusting to different formats quite intelligently. Later in his career, he became a T20 specialist, where he was never out of touch with the modern demands of this testing format. His batsmanship took a sprightly turn, nailing sixes almost at will.”
“He has worn the green blazer with pride for which we at the PCB are thankful. I wish him the best of luck for his future life and thank him again for his magnificent contribution to Pakistan cricket.” Ramiz concluded.
