Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket but will continue to play franchise cricket around the world.
Muhammad Hafeez will also represent Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan Super League (PSL) this year.
The Pakistani cricketer formally announced his retirement during a press conference at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters in Lahore on Monday.Muhammad Hafeez, popularly known as 'Professor' in cricket circles, has already announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2018.
He said he was "happy" and "satisfied" at the end of his career and was grateful for the clubs, players, coaches and other support staff he worked with throughout his career.
"It's not that I don't consider myself fit for the next World Cup, but I'm happily retiring."
Asked about the memorable moment of his life, he said that the memorable moment was when he first took the field from Pakistan.
He also expressed happiness over being part of the team that defeated India in the T20 World Cup in 2021.
Mohammad Hafeez further said that "I have been able to give very little time to my family for 15 years, so now I will give them time."
He refrained from talking about any controversy in the past in his press conference but did talk about the players who have harmed the 'dignity of the country'.
Referring to the past without naming anyone, he said that when he opposed those who were working against 'national dignity', the then chairman said, 'If you have to play, play, otherwise they will play. ۔ '
A look at the career
The 41-year-old all-rounder began his cricketing career with an ODI match against Zimbabwe in 2003 and the 2021 T20 World Cup final against Australia was the last match of his international career.
Muhammad Hafeez has played 55 Tests, 2018 ODIs and 119 T20I matches in his career and his total runs in all formats is 12,780.
He is also considered a dangerous player due to his 'off spin' bowling and is especially considered to be an expert in dismissing left-handed batsmen.
He has taken 53 wickets in Test matches, 139 in ODIs and 61 in T20I matches.
But his bowling has been a source of trouble for him many times and in his 18-year career, his bowling action has been termed as 'suspicious' several times.
Doubts over his bowling action were first raised at a triangular tournament in Australia in 2005 and his bowling action was reported during the T20 Champions League in 2014 and then in a Test match against New Zealand this year. Caused a one-year ban for
In 2016, he resumed his off-spin by changing his bowling action, but the following year, in 2017, his bowling action was reported again in the ODI match against Sri Lanka and he was again banned. Had to
The last time he cleared his bowling action was in 2020.
Mohammad Hafeez has won the Man of the Match award 32 times in his 18-year career and is the fourth Pakistani player to be named Man of the Match most times.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is first with 43 'Man of the Match Awards', former captain and fast bowler Wasim Akram is second with 39 and Inzamam-ul-Haq is third with 33 awards.
Despite the decision of Muhammad Hafeez to retire, his fans want to see him connected to cricket in one role or another.
A user named Farid Khan said in a tweet that "Mohammad Hafeez was one of the most sincere players."
"He should choose a coaching career after retiring from cricket."
Pakistani journalist Owais Tawheed wrote in a tweet that "Mohammad Hafeez was a match winner and he played many memorable innings."
"Best wishes for their future."
Cricket analyst Dr Noman Niaz thanked Hafeez and said, "Thank you for representing Pakistan with confidence and giving us moments of fun."
"Every good thing has an end."
Pakistan fast bowler Usman Khan Shinwari said in a tweet, “Thank you Hafeez Bhai for your services. May Allah bless you for raising the name of Pakistan on many occasions.
