Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez who was very famous with the name of Professor in the game of cricket has retired from international cricket in all the forms to end the era that spanned over 18 years.
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket in all the forms to end the era that spanned over 18 years. However, he will continue to play for the T20 franchise cricket.
The professor (Hafeez) made his international debut in 2003 in an ODI versus Zimbabwe and played his last International game against Australia in the recently concluded T20 World Cup semifinal that his side lost in the semi-final.
At first, he had announced that the 2020 T20 World Cup would be his last assignment for Pakistan, but due to the postponement of the tournament following the COVID-19 spread extended his stay with the men in green.
The 41-year-old played International cricket in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is accumulating 12,780 runs across all three formats and taking 253 wickets.
“Today I say goodbye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction,”
Hafeez 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.
“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 onto 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.”
Earlier, Hafeez had retired from the longest format of the game in December 2018. Although he was still considered for the ODIs 2019 World Cup with his last game of the tournament coming against Bangladesh at Lord’s.
Hafeez ranks the highest in terms of T20 World Cup appearances, from taking Pakistan to the semifinal in the 2012 World T20 to the time in 2014 when Pakistan was ousted in the group stage. He also led Pakistan in the T20Is as a skipper, as a captain he led Pakistan to 18 wins in 29 games with 11 losses.
“Hafeez has been a wholehearted cricketer who worked tirelessly at his game to have a long and fruitful career,”
said PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja.
“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.”
