Senior Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez puts retirement rumours to rest

Recently, the rumour mill was abuzz with the news that Pakistan all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez was contemplating retirement, after being moved to B grade of contracts from A. Which was followed by his omission from the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe and as a result didn’t feature in the national squad for the Asia Cup 2018 either.

However, the 37-year-old, who is regarded as one of the finest all-rounders Pakistan has ever produced, has put all the rumours to rest by publicly clarifying that he is a fighter, and will not give up so soon. In a chat with local media, the former T20I captain said that he is ready to accept any decision that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) makes regarding him.

“There is no truth in news regarding my retirement,” he told media. “I will accept whatever decision is taken by the PCB. I only play for respect and this is what I’m going to continue to strive to get back the place in the national team,” Hafeez said.

Disappointment on being left out of the Asia Cup squad

Earlier, he had written to the PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, expressing his disappointment on being left out of the Asia Cup squad, despite maintaining good form in the domestic circuit. “I do not understand how they could treat a senior player like me. If they don’t want me to play, they should tell me directly as at least it will be respectful and help me set my directions.”

As far as the Asia Cup is concerned, uncapped Shan Masood has been called up to the national squad. India and Pakistan are scheduled to face off on September 19.

Hafeez has so far played 50 Tests, 197 One-Day Internationals and 78 Twenty20 Internationals for Pakistan, and has contributed 3452, 6020 and 1619 runs respectively. Along with that, he has also taken 52 Test wickets, 136 ODI wickets and 46 T20I wickets.

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