Mohammad Hafeez retires from international cricket

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career that spanned over 18 years.

Hafeez, who made his international debut in 2003 in an ODI against Zimbabwe, featured in 392 internationals for Pakistan, scoring 12,780 runs and taking 253 wickets. His last international game was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup semi-final in November 2021.

My journey of pride representing 🇵🇰 came to an end & i m proudly retiring from international cricket with great satisfaction & joy. Thank u all for 18 years of support. Maintaining highest level of pride & dignity always is my most valuable achievement. Pakistan 🇵🇰 Zindabad

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) January 3, 2022

Earlier, Hafeez had retired from Test cricket in 2018 and had not played in an ODI since ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2019. He, however, has expressed his desire to continue playing T20 franchise cricket.

"Today I say goodbye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction. In 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," Hafeez said.

“And, of course, my family who made big sacrifices to ensure I achieved my aspirations of representing Pakistan at a global stage.

“I am extremely fortunate, lucky and proud to have been considered worthy of donning the national kit with Pakistan emblem for 18 years. My country and my team have always been at my forefront and therefore, every time I stepped onto the field, I tried to raise their profile and image by playing hard and tough but within the rich traditions of the spirit of cricket."

Hafeez was a part of the Pakistan team, which won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and represented his country in three 50-over (2007, 2011 and 2019), six T20 World Cups (2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2021).