Reports: Picking Pakistan over LPL costs Mohammad Hafeez millions

Mohammad Hafeez’s decision to choose country over franchise cricket has reportedly cost him millions. The veteran Pakistan allrounder recently declined an opportunity to play in the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) to represent his country. The decision will definitely delight Pakistan and their fans but it would hurt the allrounder financially.

Colombo Kings had roped in Hafeez for the inaugural season of the tournament. The Colombo-based outfit had signed up the Pakistan veteran to replace Faf du Plessis. The former South Africa skipper is unavailable for LPL due to South Africa’s upcoming limited-overs series against England at home. Just like du Plessis, Hafeez has also picked country over franchise.

Hafeez was recently named in the 35-member Pakistan squad for New Zealand tour. Pakistan and New Zealand will play three T20Is between 18-22 December before locking horns in a two-match Test series. Hafeez is available only for the shortest format of the game.

Big financial loss for Mohammad Hafeez:

Missing the LPL has cost Mohammad Hafeez as far as money is concerned. According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, he was expected to earn approximately PKR 10 million from his contract at LPL. The report stated that Hafeez had requested PCB to allow him to play some matches at LPL. However, the PCB had to ask the player to choose one between Pakistan and LPL because of the strict quarantine rules.

The 40-year old, in reply, picked Pakistan which has cost him millions. Interestingly, Hafeez is not a centrally contracted player of the PCB. His match fee on the recent England tour was equivalent to that of a player with a C category central contract i.e. Rs 2,02,950. He had the chance to turn down the offer to tour New Zealand and play in Sri Lanka without facing any action.

But Hafeez, who last played in the bilateral series against Zimbabwe, has decided otherwise. Earlier this year, he also had to forego an Rs.2,500,000 contract with a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise in order to play in England. Meanwhile, the inaugural edition of LPL will take place from November 26 to December 16.