Former captain and veteran allrounder Mohammad Hafeez on Monday left his fans heartbroken as he announced his decision to retire from international cricket, ending a career that spanned over 18 years. While he has decided to retire from international cricket, he will continue to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other T20 cricket leagues.
The 41-year-old cricketer announced his decision at a presser in Lahore, where he said: “I started this journey 18 years ago, and I’m announcing my retirement today,”
“I played for Pakistan due to the pride [I felt]. I didn’t have greed, I didn’t want to earn money, I only played for pride. I have no regrets of any kind. I am completely satisfied [with my career]. It’s not that physically I can’t play on. I could have played the next World Cup as well but I decided to retire myself.
“If at any time or event [in future], any success is attained [by the national team], it will be mine as well.”
My journey of pride representing ?? came to an end & i m proudly retiring from international cricket with great satisfaction & joy. Thank u all for 18 years of support. Maintaining highest level of pride & dignity always is my most valuable achievement. Pakistan ?? Zindabad
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) January 3, 2022
He also thanked the PCB and his fans for their constant support and love. “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.”
Mohammad Hafeez, also known as the Professor, began his professional cricket career in 2003. He will be remembered for his heroics in the limited-overs format, especially in T20s, where he was ranked the number one all-rounder in the world in 2014.
Meanwhile, ever since the news came out, social media has been buzzing with reactions from the netizens on it. From cricketers, experts to fans, everyone came up with amazing tweets and tributes for the Pakistani cricketer.
Among many, South Africa’s Dale Steyn also joined the bandwagon and came up with an amazing Tweet for his ‘bunny’ Mohammad Hafeez. For the unversed, no batsman was dismissed as often in all international cricket as Hafeez by Dale Steyn. Remembering their one-sided battles, Dale Steyn wrote:
“Many a great battle with this man, end of the day, we had the best time and memories we can enjoy forever! Congratulations on a wonderful international career! Inspired your nation and played the game the right way, well done ?@MHafeez22″
Here, check out the Tweet;
Many a great battle with this man, end of the day, we had the best time and memories we can enjoy forever!
Congratulations on a wonderful international career!
Inspired your nation and played the game the right way, well done ? @MHafeez22 pic.twitter.com/dJ9zyjcVYT— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 3, 2022
