Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez (Credits: Getty)

Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez opened up on his interaction with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on pace bowler Mohammad Amir’s come back to the national side.

Hafeez was outspoken when Amir was making his international come back in 2016 after serving a five-year ban for match-fixing charges.

I was devastated to hear that: Mohammad Hafeez on PCB’s decision

Hafeez didn’t welcome Amir into the team and had explicitly told the board about his stand. However, the board turned down Hafeez’s ideology and allowed Amir to return back in the international arena.

Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Amir (Photo-Getty)
Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Amir (Photo-Getty)

“I was and I am still against fixers. I never wanted fixers to be given a second chance. I was told by the then PCB chairman to mind my own business and that those fixers would be given a second chance no matter what. I was devastated to hear that,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

I retired myself and this was my decision only: Mohammad Hafeez

After playing 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 119 T20 International matches for Pakistan in his 18 years of international career, Hafeez has decided to hang his boots.

Hafeez was part of Pakistan’s tremendous T20 World Cup campaign in UAE, where they lost to Australia in the semi-final. The 41-year-old scored 85 runs from five innings and returned with one wicket with the ball.

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Hafeez said it was his sole decision to retire from international cricket and he wasn’t influenced by anyone.

“I wanted to be part of the 2021 World Cup-winning squad, but it wasn’t to be. I pushed myself in the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup as well. I had been thinking about retirement for the last two years or so, but now is the right time for me to part ways,” he added.

Mohammad Hafeez
Pakistani batsman Mohammad Hafeez (Credits: Getty)

“I retired myself and this was my decision only. I wasn’t forced by anyone into taking this decision. I could have continued till the next T20 World Cup, but I decided to move on. I am still fit and I will continue playing franchise cricket till I am performing,” he maintained.

The Pakistan all-rounder will continue to play franchise cricket as he has signed a new deal with Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League 2022.

Also Read: Mohammad Hafeez Retires From International Cricket