'You have been a flag-bearer for Pakistan' - Twitterati give Mohammad Hafeez a grand salute on his international retirement

Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez who captained the national side in all three formats announced his retirement from international cricket. However, he will continue playing franchise cricket across the world. He has signed up with Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League.

Hafeez had bid adieu to the longest format of the game back in the year 2018  wherein he ended his nearly 20 years long career. The all-rounder has featured in  55 Tests, 218 ODIs, and 119 T20Is for the country which includes as many as three ICC ODI World Cups and six T20 World Cups.  He made his debut in an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2003 and played his last game for Pakistan against Australia in the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final.

He has had an illustrious career wherein the all-rounder won 32 Player-of-the-Match awards which are the fourth-highest among Pakistan players in all international cricket. Only  Shahid Afridi (43), Wasim Akram (39), and Inzamam-ul-Haq (33) are the other Pakistan greats who are placed ahead of him. Also, Hafeez bagged nine Player-of-the-Series awards as he is joint-second in the all-time list with Imran Khan, Inzamam, and Waqar Younis.

“Today I say goodbye to international cricket with pride and satisfaction. In fact, I have earned and accomplished more than I had initially envisaged and for that, I am thankful to all my fellow cricketers, captains, support staff, and the Pakistan Cricket Board who helped me out during my career.

I am extremely fortunate, lucky, and proud to have been considered worthy of donning the national kit with the Pakistan emblem for 18 years. My country and my team have always been at my forefront and therefore, every time I stepped on to the field, I tried to raise their profile and image by playing hard and tough but within the rich traditions of the spirit of cricket,” Hafeez said in a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Cricket Board (PCB).

Having served the country for so long, he exuded his flair to go down as one of the best players the nation has witnessed. Across formats, he scored 12,780 runs and scalped 253 wickets. As he announced his retirement, the cricketing fraternity and fans reacted to it in numbers.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Mohammad Hafeez’s retirement:

END OF AN ERA!😓

Thank You ☺️ Hafeez!!#MuhammadHafeez @MHafeez22 #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/8uoXnmG9Zw

— Usama Munir (@usamam549) January 3, 2022

Pakistani cricketers with 12000+ runs and 250+ wickets in international cricket:

Mohammad Hafeez

End of list pic.twitter.com/tU3LsEg24u

— OSAMA KHAN (@speaks_usama) January 3, 2022

Great and Lovely Cricketer
Professor We Missed you In Field…
Stay Blessed@MHafeez22#Hafeez

— WaqarAli (@WaqarAliKhan18) January 3, 2022

My Whole Childhood and its Offically over today .

"Jaoo lefties Jee lo apni zindgi "

Hafeez bhai miss u so much #endofanera @MHafeez22 @mdk_gul #shahidafridi pic.twitter.com/Kru6rZ2AmW

— Dr Rab nawaz -Rainchu (@MalangBoi) January 3, 2022

Hafeez, you have been a flag-bearer for Pakistan Cricket over the years you have worn your country's shirt. Pride in the badge, pride in your own performance and maintaining the highest codes of honour in the game. Your presence will be missed by @TheRealPCB #Hafeez https://t.co/1BP29trfge

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) January 3, 2022

Thank you @MHafeez22 congratulations on wonderful international career,it was indeed privilege and honour playing alongside you wearing green jersey..all the best for future pic.twitter.com/d1cBbGc0D8

— Sohail Tanveer (@sohailmalik614) January 3, 2022

Oye Ustaada @MHafeez22 great international career MaShAllah…You have been an outstanding player & a team mate.Thank you for serving Pakistan cricket. All the very best for future Happy Retirement Ustaad G! pic.twitter.com/n2U5bB3kD2

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) January 3, 2022

We started our career together and since that day, i have known u to be one of the most kindest and straightforward person. U have given so much to the world of cricket during these years n we will surely miss watchn u play for Pakistan. Wishing u prosperity ahead. @MHafeez22 pic.twitter.com/bPGCy86M5B

— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) January 3, 2022

Wishing a happy retirement to @MHafeez22 and many congratulations on a wonderful career. May the second innings of your life be more amazing Ameen. Go well brother! 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/IEdB4RBgLO

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) January 3, 2022

Farewell @MHafeez22 bhai from international cricket. Congratulations on an amazing career. Wishing you the very best of luck in this new chapter of your life. Stay blessed. pic.twitter.com/UjheXq1tj3

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) January 3, 2022

Congratulations on an amazing career and for all your services for Pakistan cricket, lots of great memories. Prayers and best wishes for the future. Happy retirement Professor @MHafeez22 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/ipKdJdmNOq

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) January 3, 2022

Many congratulations on a great international career!
May the new chapter of your life also be as amazing as this one. Pakistan cricket and its fans will definitely miss the Professor. Happy retirement @MHafeez22 bhai👍🏼

— Fawad Alam (@iamfawadalam25) January 3, 2022

A memorable career comes to an end. I have learnt a lot from @mhafeez22 bhai and his experiences. Thank you for your guidance along the time we shared on the field. Happy retirement, professor! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5pF34pPW9J

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) January 3, 2022