Mohammad Hafeez bids farewell to the international cricket, will continue playing franchise cricket

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez on Monday, January 3 announced his retirement from international cricket. Hafeez, however, reckoned that he will continue to be available for franchise cricket. The all-rounder started his international career in 2003 in an ODI against Zimbabwe, and played his last international game against Australia in the T20 World Cup semifinal in November, a thrilling fixture which Pakistan lost. 

"I am very much happy and satisfied with my career and achievements which were actually for Pakistan so this is it for me. I represented Pakistan with absolute pride but I will continue to play international leagues until I am fit and can contribute with performances."

"When you have a professional career as long as mine, you're 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," he explained. 

"While cricket has been a great learning school for me, this great sport has provided me opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends. These are lifelong memories, which I will cherish every day. I want to thank my fans for standing beside me understanding my lean patch, cherishing my success."

"I want to thank my parents for their prayers and support due to which I was able to serve my country besides that my two clubs where I started playing cricket - Faisal cricket club in Sargodha and Apollo cricket club in Lahore - both had lifted me in my earlier stage of the career. I am also thankful to all my fellow cricketers, captains, support staff, Pakistan Cricket Board and fellow media who supported me during my career," he revealed. 

"The decision is what my heart told me and not driven by any critics. For me, my critics had already started since 2003 and people thought I wasn't a good player. I didn't want to turn my beautiful, positive journey into a negative one, that's why I am here, where I started my international cricket, and ending it here"