Mohammad Hafeez, also known as "The Professor," is a Pakistani cricketer who has represented his country in all three formats of the game. He bowls off-spin and bats with his right hand. Hafeez is known for his versatile skills and has played a significant role in Pakistan's cricket history. Let's delve into the details of his cricketing journey.
Early Career:
Mohammad Hafeez was born in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan, on October 17, 1980. He made his international debut in Test cricket against Bangladesh in 2003. However, he struggled to make a strong impact in the longer format initially and was dropped from the national team.
Breakthrough and Rise to Prominence:
Hafeez made a comeback to the national side in 2006 and found success as an opening batsman in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). His consistent performances in ODIs earned him a place in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup squad. He played a vital role in Pakistan's journey to the final, scoring crucial runs and taking wickets. However, Pakistan lost to Australia in the final.
Hafeez continued to impress with his all-round skills, and his off-spin bowling became an important asset for the team. He was also known for his sharp fielding and often fielded in the slips or at point. He became a regular member of the national team in all three formats.
T20I Success and Captaincy:
In the game's shortest format, Hafeez scored a lot of points. He played a pivotal role in Pakistan's victory in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, where he was the leading run-scorer for his team. He continued to be a consistent performer in T20Is, often opening the innings and providing quick starts. Hafeez was appointed as the captain of the Pakistan T20I team in 2012 and led the team to several series victories.
Ups and Downs:
Hafeez's career had its fair share of ups and downs. He faced a setback when his bowling action was reported for the first time in 2005. He had to undergo remedial work on his action and was cleared to bowl again in 2007. However, his action was reported again in 2014, and he was subsequently banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months.
Despite the bowling setback, Hafeez continued to contribute with the bat. He reached new heights in 2013 when he became the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC ODI rankings. He was also a part of the Pakistan team that reached the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.
Later Years and Retirement:
In 2018, Hafeez announced his retirement from Test cricket after playing 55 matches. However, he continued to feature in limited-overs cricket. He played a vital role in Pakistan's 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, scoring valuable runs and providing stability in the batting order.
Hafeez's career reached another milestone when he became the first player for Pakistan to score 2,000 runs in T20Is. He played an important role in helping Pakistan win the T20I series against England in 2021.
In November 2021, Hafeez will announce his retirement from international cricket, ending a career that spanned nearly two decades of success and turbulence. He left a significant impact on Pakistan cricket, particularly in limited-overs formats, and will be remembered as one of the most versatile all-rounders the country has produced.
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