The veteran all-rounder and former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday.
During the press conference, he shared the most painful moment of his cricket career and said that the most painful moment of his career was when his stance on match fixers was refuted by the then Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, who told him that “they will play, but you can decide for yourself whether you want to play or not.
Mohammad Hafeez has said that on a matter of match fixing, his stance was clear and he will not move away from his principles. He said that he will never forget that moment.
“For me, that was the lowest point. It was painful to hear how the then PCB chairman turned down his stance,” he added.
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The former captain further stated that he has always worked hard to keep his country’s name on top, and that it was terrible to hear that a person “as honest as me” was forced to choose whether or not to play, while the “match fixers,” who “spoil Pakistan’s pride,” will play.
The veteran all-rounder has said that he feels extremely fortunate and proud to have been considered worthy to represent the country in the national kit with Pakistan’s emblem for 18 years.
“Cricket has been a great learning school for me and has provided me opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends,” he said, adding that these are lifelong memories, which he will cherish every day.
It is to be mentioned here that Hafeez has 12,789 runs and took 253 wickets while representing Pakistan in 392 international matches in his 18-year-long career. He played 55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is for the country, including three ICC ODI world cups and six T20 world cups. He has started his international career in April 2003, with his debut ODI against Zimbabwe in Sharjah, while his Test debut was in Karachi on August 20 against Bangladesh, later in the same year.
