Hafeez ready represent Pakistan in Test cricket if ‘needed’

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has offered his services for Test cricket as Men in Green are preparing for tough England tour.

The veteran cricketer hanged up his boots from longest format of the game in 2018, however, due to COVID-19 crisis, former captain said he is ready to down white kit once again if needed.

"If there comes any situation for me to play Test cricket on England tour then I'm available,” Hafeez told reports via teleconference.

Responding to Ramiz Raja’s advice about retiring from international cricket ‘gracefully’, the right-hander expressed, “Ramiz Raja is free to express his opinion but my decision to play cricket or retire is not dependent on anyone’s advice.”

“Players should not be discarded from the team on basis of their age. Only performance and fitness should be the criteria of selection,” he added.

It must be noted that Raja had asked all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Hafeez to bring the curtain down on their careers as it help Pakistan cricket.

The right-handed batsman, Hafeez, also spoke about the playing under new rules and regulations, amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

“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. “Criticising these rules, such as ban on saliva, is not the right thing to do.”