Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has stated his desire to feature in this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, following which he plans to retire from international cricket.
“After the World T20, I have decided I will retire from international cricket and just focus on playing in T20 leagues,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by PTI.
Hafeez will turn 40 just a day before the tournament’s scheduled start in October; he has featured in all editions of the T20 World Cup for Pakistan since 2007, barring only their title-winning campaign in 2009.
His tally of 1992 T20I runs is the second highest for a Pakistani batsman, bettered only by teammate Shoaib Malik. He’s also taken 54 wickets from his 91 appearances, the second best by a Pakistani off-spinner behind Saeed Ajmal [85 in 64 games].
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Hafeez retired from Test cricket in December 2018. In January this year, he made his re-entry into the T20I set-up after over a year, with the management possibly eyeing experience for the global event in Australia.
Hafeez hasn’t divulged any specific post-retirement plans, but admits he could be open to the idea of coaching.
“It could be coaching,” he said, “I don’t know, when the time comes I will make up my mind.”
