Corrupt players should never be allowed to represent country: Mohammad Hafeez

The former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez has announced his retirement from international cricket. He recently stated that players who are found guilty of corruption in cricket shouldn’t receive a go-to play for the national team.

He recounted an instance from the past and stated that he was disappointed when he had taken the stand on the same but did not get the necessary support from the board. He also added that he was never in favor of giving any chances to the match-fixers.

“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 said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

He also opened up on his retirement and reckoned that he thought of hanging up his boots back in 2019 but then continued to play after his wife and well-wishers convinced him to do so.

“No, I had started thinking about my retirement since the 2019 World Cup but my wife and some well-wishers convinced me to carry on. But I had started thinking about it since then. As far as what Ramiz said or felt that is his opinion and I have always respected critics and my way has been to go out on the field and give replies to them. I have no hard feelings towards anyone on the board.”

Players must retire gracefully: Mohammad Hafeez

The allrounder further added that he took the call to bid adieu to the game in order to set a new and positive precedent for others to follow. According to him, the players should retire gracefully at the right after having taken the board into consideration.

“Ramiz said it was because he thought I wanted to speak about my category in the PSL and central contracts. But when I finally met him on 31st December I told him I just wanted to inform him about my decision to retire. I took this decision because I want to set a new and positive precedent for others to follow. Players must retire gracefully, at the right time with respect, and after taking the board into confidence,” Hafeez added.