The Professor will continue to be available for franchise cricket
\n Islamabad
\nFormer Pakistan Test captain Mohammad Hafeez has finally announced his retirement from international cricket, Geo News reported Monday.
\nHafeez, aka The Professor, had earlier bid farewell to Test cricket in 2018.
\nThe cricketer led the Pakistan cricket team in all formats of the game.
\nToday I say goodbye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction, Hafeez said while addressing a press conference to announce his decision.
\n\u201cIn 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,\u201d Hafeez said.
\nThe cricketer said that he feels extremely fortunate and proud to have been considered worthy to represent the country in the national kit with Pakistan\u2019s emblem for 18 years.
\nHe said that he has always kept the country and team a priority and tried to impact their profile and image positively by playing hard and tough but within the rich traditions of the spirit of cricket every time he stepped on the field.
\n\u201cWhen you have a professional career as long as mine, you\u2019re bound to have your share of highs and lows, and I was no different. Results apart, I can say with conviction that I had more highs as I had the privilege of playing with and against some of the finest exponents of the bat and the ball of my era,\u201d Hafeez said.
\nHe said that cricket has been a great learning school for him and has provided him opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends.
\n\u201cThese are lifelong memories, which I will cherish every day. I want to thank my fans and supporters for believing in my abilities and backing me throughout my career,\u201d he added.
\nIn his 18-year-long career, the all-rounder scored 12,789 runs and took 253 wickets while representing Pakistan in 392 international matches.
\nBesides this, he played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is for the country, including three ICC ODI world cups and six T20 world cups.
\nHafeez, now aged 41, started his international career in April 2003, with his debut ODI against Zimbabwe in Sharjah. His Test debut was against Bangladesh in Karachi on August 20, later in the same year.
\nThe Professor played his first T20 match in August 2006 against England while the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final against Australia proved his last 20-over match.
\nThe right-handed batter played his final ODI match last year in July at Lord\u2019s against Bangladesh.
\nMohammad Hafeez was also a member of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winning team.
\nMost painful moment
\nFormer captain and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez shared Monday the most painful moment of his cricket career as he addressed a press conference to announce his retirement from international cricket.
\nHe said the most painful moment of his career was when his stance on match fixers was refuted by the then PCB chairman, who told him that \u201cthey will play, but you can decide for yourself whether you want to play or not.\u201d
\nHafeez, in a statement, said that on a matter of match fixing, his \u201cstance was clear and he will not move away from his \u201cprinciples.\u201d
\n\u201cI will never forget that moment. For me, that was the lowest point.\u201d
\nHafeez said that it was painful to hear how the then PCB chairman turned down his stance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Professor will continue to be available for franchise cricket Islamabad Former Pakistan Test captain Mohammad Hafeez has finally announced his retirement from international cricket, Geo News reported Monday. Hafeez, aka The Professor, had earlier bid farewell to Test cricket in 2018. The cricketer led the Pakistan cricket team in all formats of the game. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":236752,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[196,2553,2554,2124],"class_list":{"0":"post-236740","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-cricket","9":"tag-international-cricket","10":"tag-mohammad-hafeez","11":"tag-retires"},"yoast_head":"\n