'My decision to retire is not dependent on anyone's advice' - Mohammad Hafeez hits back at Ramiz Raja

Pakistan international Mohammad Hafeez bid adieu to the longest form of the sport in 2018 after the third Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. The primary reason behind Hafeez’s departure from Tests was his intention to focus more on the limited-overs format.

However, 39-year-old Hafeez has said that he is ready to don the whites if needed in Pakistan upcoming Test series in England. The iconic England tour will be one-of-a-kind for the Men in Green as this is going to be their first series in the post-coronavirus world.

Recently, Rameez Raja had asked Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez to retire ‘gracefully’ from international cricket to pave the way for youngsters.

“They should leave international cricket with respect and gracefully. I think if they retire now it will help Pakistan cricket. We have a good pool of players and we must move ahead,” Raja had said in April.

Hafeez, while speaking to reporters in a teleconference, hit back at Raja and said that his decision to retire is not dependent on anyone’s advice. Pointing out the age factor, Hafeez said that players should not be discarded on the basis of their age.

I’m available for selection in England Tests: Mohammad Hafeez

“Ramiz Raja is free to express his opinion but my decision to play cricket or retire is not dependent on anyone’s advice. If there comes any situation for me to play Test cricket on England tour then I’m available,” said Hafeez as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“Players should not be discarded from the team on the basis of their age. Only performance and fitness should be the criteria of selection,” he added.

Hafeez also spoke about playing the sport under new rules and regulations. The ICC recently induced a few new rules including the ban of saliva in matches. Hafeez expressed his disapproval over the ban of saliva and said that it was not the right thing to do.

“I think cricket has lost its charm due to new regulations amid Covid-19 but we will have to accept these and move on,” he said. “Criticising these rules, such as the ban on saliva, is not the right thing to do,” said the right-hander.