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‘My career meri marzi’: Mohammad Hafeez hits out after fan asks him about retirement plans

badsha001 said:
should retire in protest now.
Click to expand...
Hopefully not and he takes part in PSL, as I heard a rumour the other day that Dale Steyn might be playing in the PSL too.

Hafeez v Steyn is the only cricketing duel I’ve enjoyed in the last decade, with both being masters of their craft. One mastered the art of getting out, the other mastered the art of getting everyone out.
 
11 off 11 and 0/23 off 1 over in Qatar T10 today. Got smashed by 'Kamran Khan' and wicket-keeper 'Mohammad Rizlan' :danish

Why did LQ retain him in platinum? His performances since the World Cup have been abysmal in every single league.
 
Can’t seem to hold a bat at the moment.

No performances in these leagues and he is still getting contracts.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/ARazzaqPak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARazzaqPak</a> bhai &#55357;&#56397;&#55356;&#57340;&#55357;&#56464; , I do accept my defeat , U played very well last night like a Snooker champion &#55357;&#56903;*♂️ <a href="https://t.co/gbGjGB6C6t">https://t.co/gbGjGB6C6t</a></p>— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHafeez22/status/1204710323414032387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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Talent carries little significance when it comes to success in international cricket. The thing that really counts is how disciplined one is in one’s life and sport.

“It all depends on how much hunger you carry for it [success]. You need to know the purpose you are playing cricket for. You have to plan your career accordingly and discipline is certainly one thing that can take you forward,’ said Mohammad Hafeez, from Pakistan cricket captain, while talking to Community.

Hafeez, who is also dubbed ‘professor’ for his deep knowledge of the sport, has represented Pakistan in Test, One-Day International and T-20 cricket. His career spans over 16 years, starting from 2003 and still counts. The all-rounder was recently in Qatar, for the first time, to take part in a T-10 cricket league organised by the Qatar Cricket Association.

Coming from a family with humble origins in Sargodha, in Pakistan’s most populous province of Punjab, Hafeez has had to struggle a lot to make it to wear the national colours. “It was really a matter of pride for my family when I made my debut in 2003. I come from a small town where people usually do not have many facilities and vision when it comes to playing cricket professionally. I am grateful to Allah Almighty for the blessings. My every success is owed to the prayers and encouragement I got from my parents.”

Recalling his early days when he was struggling to find his feet as a professional cricketer, Hafeez said: “When I used to practice and train, people would call me mad. They thought that I would never make it to the national team. I had no qualms about it because they had never seen somebody from their area going to the international level.

“Initially, my parents were against the idea of giving all my time to cricket. They wanted me to be an engineer. Now, I am a parent and can realise the concerns of my parents back then. Cricket is a kind of blind date. You never know where you are going to end up. Unfortunately, the sports culture has not developed much in Pakistan.”

Hafeez took his passion for cricket seriously and felt the burden of proving himself. “When I made my decision to follow cricket as my career, I was 19. I realised that this is my decision so I have to prove it right. I worked hard but could not get selected for the under-19 team. But I did not give in or get disheartened. I think we should never lose hope and continue hard work. It took me four years to get selected for the Sargodha team. To improve my cricket, I moved to Lahore. Later, l went to England to play league cricket, which helped me a lot in improving my skills.”

The cricketer believes that one should not get carried away with distractions that come along the way. “I remained focused in my efforts to make it to the national team. I faced many distractions but did not succumb. I resisted all temptations such as getting settled in England etc. My resolution bore fruit in 2003 when I joined the Pakistan squad. It has been a beautiful journey so far. I think cricket has made me a better human being. I have learnt many things from the sport.”

So how did he get the moniker ‘professor’?

Hafeez smiled and said: “I think they gave me this name for my inquisitive nature and understanding of cricket. In fact, I give a lot of respect to cricket as a sport. I follow my discipline very seriously. Initially, an agent of mine who got my contract done to play in UK first called me ‘professor’ because I used to ask too many searching questions.

“One day, Rameez bhai [Rameez Raja, a former Pakistani cricketer and now a TV commentator] relayed on air that I am called professor. People noticed it and (that’s how) it came to be.”

Like many other cricketing heroes of Pakistan, Hafeez also got inspired by Imran Khan, Pakistan’s greatest cricket captain and now the country’s prime minister. “My ambition to play for the national team was sparked when Imran Khan came to our school to raise funds for his cancer hospital. His charismatic personality made me wonder about my own desire to play for the Pakistan team. But I realised later what it actually means to play for Pakistan. It is a great honour and responsibility.

“I am a huge fan of Saeed Anwar [a former classy batsman from Pakistan]. I always enjoyed watching him bat. Besides him, I am a fan of Brian Lara [a former batsman from West Indies].”

Hafeez did not find it hard to change over from tennis ball to hard ball cricket. “It was not difficult for me because I made up my mind to play only hard ball cricket. “(But) like all young boys, I started playing with tennis ball. We, however, cannot carry on doing both. It makes harder to master the hard ball format, if you continue using tennis ball. I quit playing tennis ball cricket when I was 19.”

As for Hafeez, the off-spinner, a little pause before delivering the ball is his trademark. “The pause was a natural part of my bowling action. I started bowling following the action of famous Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. I have worked on the pause and now it has gone away.”

In response to a question about why it is hard for Pakistani batsmen to score on bouncy surfaces and pitches which favour swing bowlers, Hafeez said: “In Pakistan, we do not have bouncy tracks. This however, is not an excuse. As an international batsman one has to perform everywhere in the world. The reason behind the continuing failure of Pakistani batsmen in countries like Australia and South Africa is (down to the) absence of proper infrastructure for domestic cricket in Pakistan. If we accept that there are too many flaws at the domestic level, we will one day be able to overcome the shortcomings. I hope the authorities will give due attention to this issue.”

Sharing his piece of advice for youngsters, Hafeez underlined the importance of being disciplined. “First of all, having talent is something very minor. The most important thing is how disciplined you are as a player. What actually matters is your hunger for the sport and the objective you want to achieve. I would ask youngsters to have a broader vision and focus on serving the country as a player.

“I will also stress on being fit. If you are not physically fit, the ones who are will definitely outplay you. We should have a disciplined lifestyle, both on the field and in everyday life. I will ask young players not to rely on talent. They should get disciplined and continue working hard.”

The cricketing star is very optimistic about the future of cricket in Pakistan. “One should always be optimistic. However, we should also be realistic at the same time. There is not much development of infrastructure at the domestic level. That is necessary to enable our players to compete well at the international level. We need to facilitate the young generation.”

Hafeez agrees that the strain on the players has increased due to the frequency of international matches. “Cricket has become very fast and we have to adapt accordingly. I think Pakistan lags a little behind international standards of fitness. The concerned authorities need to raise the standards in Pakistan. We need to work for our future and set new goals for ourselves.”

https://m.gulf-times.com/story/651238/Cricket-has-made-me-a-better-human-being-Mohammad-
 
No it’s not your choice.

You owe a huge debt to Pakistani cricket fans, and even cricket fans worldwide who are few and far between in the world anyway for such a niche sport. The dedicated ones and even the casuals over the last 16 years or so since your debut have bought tickets, bought TV subscriptions just for you to flop around in your first few years as a debutant and now as a subpar, past-it, veteran who is well past his prime? These are the same fans who do cross country trips from all around the world to support the team in tournaments, willing to go wherever they need to watch the team play in person, knowing for the last 10 years that none of those major events will take place near most of their homes in Pakistan until recently.

You did have a purple patch in between two periods of free loading, and we are thankful to you for that. Reviving a fading LOI Pak outfit in 2010, winning us respect in the Aane do series at the home of our rivals, doing your share of work as a bowler and bat in UAE tests during our “fortress” streak and finally playing an aggressive hand in the CT 2017 final after being embarrassed in CT 2013, make up the bulk of your achievements in a career spanning almost two decades, but outside of that there’s unreliability and failure.

You’re not 28 anymore that it can be said you can work on your weaknesses. Your strengths are not there anymore and your weaknesses have worsened. Yet you have the same entitled egoistic outlook of hanging onto your slot in the team as many ex Pakistani players before you, some of whom were even considered one of the best ever for their time period, yet you’re not even fit to polish their shoes but have the attitude of an all time great. It’s time to come back to reality instead of continuing to live in this delusion. Move on and contribute to the betterment of Pakistan cricket off the field. Your contributions off the field if they pay off in the long run to lift Pakistan cricket from its current state will be remembered tenfold to what you achieved on the field thus far.
 
Last edited:
Muhammad Hafeez hits out at Ramiz Raja, says it's his choice when to retire

KARACHI: Senior all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez has hit back at former captain Ramiz Raza for questioning his selection for the upcoming England tour and for advising him to retire from all forms of cricket.

While criticising head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq for picking senior players in the pool of 29 players for the England tour, cricketer-turned-commentator Raja has said Hafeez should leave international cricket gracefully.

But the 39-year-old Hafeez said he would not leave cricket on anyone's advice.

"I don't play cricket on anyone's saying, neither will I leave cricket on anyone's saying. It is my life, my cricket career and my choice when to retire," Hafeez said.

The former Pakistan captain has retired from Test cricket after appearing in 55 matches and he is currently focussing in limited-over cricket.

He has played in 218 ODIs and 91 T20 Internationals so far.

"I don't know the fuss and it is (Ramiz's) opinion but I say don't decide on a player's career based on just his age. If he is super fit and performing and keen to do well for his country, it's fine," Hafeez said.

"Ramiz is free to express his opinion but my decision to play cricket or retire is not dependent on anyone's advice.

” He said cricket has changed and age is not such a big factor if a player remained fit and performing for his country.

Hafeez said if required he is even ready to play in the Test matches in England.

The senior player also felt cricket will not be the same due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changed regulations and protocols.

"I think cricket has lost its charm due to new regulations amid COVID-19 but we will have to accept these and move on,” he said.

“It is no use now saying that bowlers will struggle due to the new rule banning use of saliva to shine the ball. It doesn't help.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/sp...ys-its-his-choice-when-to-retire-2157269.html
 
He's not gonna retire. This... sickness will never leave the intl fold. He's been facilitated for years and we will never get rid of him.
 
He always think he is the victim. An absolute joke. Should have been booted out years ago.
 
Hasan123 said:
He always think he is the victim. An absolute joke. Should have been booted out years ago.
Click to expand...

Agreed, if it wasn't for Salman Butt's sins he wouldn't have made it back in the XI.

His average outside Asia epitomises the substandard batsman that he is.
 
topspin said:
Agreed, if it wasn't for Salman Butt's sins he wouldn't have made it back in the XI.

His average outside Asia epitomises the substandard batsman that he is.
Click to expand...

Average player who gets over hyped due to him being an all rounder. If he was a specialist batter, people would say he shouldn't even be in the team during his peak.
 
Hopefully he sticks around till the 2023 World Cup. He will still outperform the hyped talented youngsters. Understands his game so well these days.
 
Should retire after the 2021 T20 World Cup. He will be officially 41 then. Real age is probably around 43.
 
Agree that he and Babar our Pakistans 2 best batsman in T20I right now.

However he is old. And retiring after the World Cup is a great time to go.
 
uberkoen said:
Misbah? How old are you 12? This has been happening since the beginning of time. Saleem Malik, Miandad, Saeed Anwar, etc. etc.

In fact, Misbah along with Inzi are two examples of people who have retired with grace
Click to expand...

Yes, Misbah retired very gracefully after leading Pakistan to victory down-under in 2015 WC. Let's also not forget his amazing performances in 2013 ICC Champions trophy, where we crushed everyone who stood in our way under his leadership and brought home the coveted ICC Champions Trophy.

Pathetic how we stuck with him for so long. Even more pathetic is how we appointed him as Head Coach / Selector.

Misbah-Ul-Haq - the worst thing to have happened to Pakistan Limited Overs cricket.
 
Right now, he’s our best T20 batsman, not Babar Azam. Hafeez can change gears when he needs to, whereas Babar is always stuck on 2nd gear.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan has been struggling in T20Is lately, yet these are Mohammad Hafeez's numbers with the ball in 2020:<br><br>Did not bowl<br>Did not bowl<br>Did not bowl<br>1-0-7-0<br>Did not bowl<br>Did not bowl<br>Did not bowl<br>Did not bowl<br>Did not bowl<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1340653042862055425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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