Lagatar24 Desk
Lahore, Jan 3: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday, bringing the curtains down on an 18-year-long career.
Hafeez made his debut on April 3, 2003, against Zimbabwe and 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.
Hafeez announces retirement from international cricket
More details: https://t.co/RYLJ7gp5Ro pic.twitter.com/8PYAfaJlPW— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 3, 2022
Hafeez represented Pakistan in 392 international matches, scoring 12,780 runs and taking 253 wickets, besides also captaining the side in 32 international matches. He was a member of the Pakistan squad that won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England and Wales.
“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,” said Hafeez in a statement.
“And, of course, my family who made big sacrifices to ensure I achieved my aspirations of representing Pakistan at a global stage,” he added.
“Hafeez was a ‘wholehearted cricketer’ who worked tirelessly at 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 modern demands of this testing format. His batsmanship took a sprightly turn, nailing sixes almost at will,” said PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja.
“He has worn the green blazer with pride for which we at the PCB are thankful. I wish him best of luck for his future life and thank him again for his magnificent contribution to Pakistan cricket,” he further added.
However, Mohammad Hafeez will continue to play franchise-based league cricket across the globe.