Abud Dhabi (December 04, 2018): Pakistan all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez announced retirement from Test cricket after the ongoing third game against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, having informed the selectors that he wants to focus on his limited-overs career.
Hafeez has played 55 Tests since August 2003’s debut against Bangladesh in Karachi.
Earlier this year, he had considered ending a 15-year international career after being downgraded in Pakistan’s central contract list but was a late addition to the squad for October’s Test series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates.‘I had a few problems in the last few months. I could have taken some steps, drastic, but I was stopped from taking them. I could have taken them, my wife stopped me. Shoaib Akhtar specially called me and at that time I was thinking of drastic steps as I was very disturbed,’ he said at the time.
‘I think Allah is the best planner and he planned good things for me. I could have been something else this time. I probably think this is the place where I had to stage a comeback. When I came back in the team all the players welcomed me and gave me confidence, and that increased my inner energy so I am very happy at the comeback.
‘Your critics challenge you, and they wait for your bad performances and highlight them. That challenges you and it brings the best out of you. That has worked for me and Allah has helped me. I always want to play positive and leave behind all such things.’
The 38-year-old will remain available to Pakistan’s limited-overs teams. He has played 203 ODIs and 89 T20Is.
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