Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez announces retirement from international cricket

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday, putting an end to a tremendous career that spanned over 18 long years.

Hafeez made his international debut in an ODI fixture against Zimbabwe back in 2003. His last match representing the ‘Men in Green’ came against Australia in the T20 World Cup semi-final in November 2021.

Hafeez played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20Is, amassing 3652, 6614, and 2514 runs, respectively. The veteran batter smashed 10 hundreds and 12 half-centuries in Tests while 11 tons and 38 fifties in ODIs. Hafeez has 14 half-tons to his name in the shortest format.

However, Hafeez will continue playing the T20 franchise cricket. Notably, the 41-year-old has signed up with Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Hafeez shared a lengthy statement where he thanked his fellow cricketers, captains, support staff and the national board for assisting him during his career.

“Today, I say goodbye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction. 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,” said Hafeez in a statement released by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“I am extremely fortunate, lucky and proud to have been considered worthy of donning the national kit with 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.

“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,” added Hafeez.

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January 03, 2022 at 03:05PM