Pakistan star Mohammad Hafeez has reportedly turned down a contract offer from the PCB following his T20I heroics against England.
Saj Sadiq of PakPassion.net is one of several sources claiming that the veteran has made it clear that he would rather the deal was awarded to a young ‘up and coming’ player.
The selfless gesture comes soon after the stylish right-hander earned the T20I Man of the Series award for his contributions against England.
Hafeez did not bat in the rain-affected first match but cracked 69 in the second before underpinning his sides innings with a stunning 86* in the final game.
His strike rates of 191.66 and 165.38 were as impressive as the number of runs scored, as he answered the critics who had questioned his inclusion on the tour.
Given that he will turn 40 in October, Mohammad Hafeez is older than most in the international arena and this contract gesture shows that he’s fully aware of that.
It’s a commendable move from a player who, after plying his trade around the world for over 20 years, clearly feels he’s financially secure enough only to only receive match fees going forward.
A young player may in-turn receive a life-changing contract with the Pakistan national team and will have the Professor to thank.
Hafeez’s recent heroics against England, though, show that he’s right to continue playing.
His innings’ lit up an exciting series and showed that there’s no reason the veteran cannot play a key role for his country when the next T20 World Cup eventually comes around.