The veteran Pakistan all-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez has decided to hang his boots from international cricket on Monday, January 3. He has announced his retirement after playing for Pakistan for more than 18 years. Hafeez last played for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup with his last outing turning out to be the defeat to Australia in the semi-final in the UAE last year.
However, Mohammad Hafeez will be expected to play franchise-based league cricket around the world. The 41-year-old announced his retirement in a press conference on Monday morning in Pakistan. Hafeez signed up for Lahore Qalandars in the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League, scheduled to be commencing on January 27.
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket. pic.twitter.com/rpTpT3jp6f
— ICC (@ICC) January 3, 2022
In a statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), announcing the same, Mohammad Hafeez said, “Today I say good-bye 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. “
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And, of course, my family made big sacrifices to ensure I achieved my aspirations of representing Pakistan on a global stage. I am extremely fortunate, lucky, and proud to have been considered worthy of donning the national kit with the Pakistan emblem for 18 years. 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.”
Mohammad Hafeez concluded, “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. While cricket has been a great learning school for me, this great sport has provided me opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends. These are lifelong memories, which I will cherish every day.”
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Hafeez, who made his international debut in 2003 and he has played 218 ODIs, hitting 6614 runs, including 11 centuries and 38 fifties. He picked up 139 wickets in the ODIs. He hit 2514 runs in 119 T20is and picked up 61 wickets. Mohammad Hafeez had announced his retirement from Tests in 2018. He played 55 matches, scoring 3652 runs, including 10 centuries.
