Pakistan’s ever-green all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez celebrating his birthday today (Sunday) as the Professor turns 41.
There is no doubt that Mohammad Hafeez along Shoaib Malik is the most seasoned player in the current Pakistan set-up.
The veteran, Hafeez made his international debut on April 3, 2003 in an ODI against Zimbabwe at Sharjah, but he only managed to score 12 runs.
Muhammad Hafeez made his Test debut on August 20, 2003 against Bangladesh at Karachi. He had the luxury to make his Test debut at home.
Hafeez made his T20I debut on August 03, 2006 at Bristol. That game also marked Pakistan cricket team T20I debut. In the match, Muhammad Hafeez had the privilege of playing under the leadership of former cricketing great, Inzamam-ul-Haq. Pakistan defeated the England in the first ever T20I.
Though, Hafeez made his way to the Pakistan national cricket team in 2003, it was only in late 2010 that he registered regular position into the side. The 2010 Spot Fixing scandal proved to be fortunate for the Professor as he along Shoaib Akthar was called for national duty in ODIs against England in 2010.
In the England series (2010), he opened with wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal. In the first ODI, Muhammad Hafeez scored 30 runs followed by 43 runs in the second ODI, a single run in the third, 64 in the fourth and 29 in the fifth.
After a decent performance against England, Hafeez was called for New Zealand Tour in 2010-11. He made his statement in the tour as he made his maiden century, scored 115 runs off 144 balls, putting Pakistan to the victorious side. He also took one wicket in the match and claimed the award of player of the match. Adding, Hafeez value to the team helped Pakistan bagged the ODI series as 3-2.
Through, solid performances in England and New Zealand, Hafeez convinced selectors to induct him to the 2011 World Cup. The mega-event was his second followed by the 2007 World Cup.
In 2012, he along with Nasir Jamshed managed an opening partnership of 224 runs against India in the Asia Cup and helped Pakistan to reach a total of 329. Though, India defeated the men in green.
In the same year, because of his impressive comeback and all-rounded capabilities, Hafeez was appointed the T20I captain in place of Misbah ul Haq. He led Pakistan to the semi-finals of the 2012 World T20 in Sri Lanka.
In late 2013, Hafeez against Sri Lanka was in sublime form and scored 448 runs and took four wickets led the Professor to bagged the player of the series award.
After the team’s exit from the group stage of the 2014 T20 World Cup, Muhammad Hafeez stepped down as Pakistan’s T20 captain. However, he continued to render his services as an all-rounder to the national side.
In 2015, Hafeez showcased heavy performances in the ODI series against Sri Lanka and England. He scored 224 in the Test Match against Bangladesh in the same year.
In the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, Muhammad Hafeez was an important member, who added value to the Pakistani squad. He smoked rapid 57 runs against India, helped Pakistan crowned the title.
In 2018, Hafeez showed consistency with the bat in the T20Is series against Australia and New Zealand.
In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Hafeez and other players were failed to impress the cricketing fans. Moreover, the mega-event closed the door for Hafeez in ODIs. Though, he managed to continue his T20I career.
In 2020, Hafeez managed to achieve a lot for him and for his side in T20Is. He scored 415 runs in a single calendar year. He scored an unbeaten 99 against the Kiwis.
In 2021, Hafeez became the second Pakistani player after Shoaib Malik to complete his 100 T20Is, when he took the field against South Africa at Wanderers. Incidentally, Hafeez’s 50th appearance was also at the Wanderers Stadium against South Africa, back in November 2013.
There is no genre of the game, where the ace all-rounder did not make a statement. He averages 32.90 in 218 ODI games that he has played, with 11 centuries and 38 half-centuries.
His Test statistics are also been good as he maintains a decent average of 37.64 in 55 games.
Muhammad Hafeez T20Is stats are also been good as he holds an average of 26.40 with a strike rate of 120.96 in 113 games.
Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, both are part of the ICC World T20 Cup. The fans will be eyeing the experience of both the veterans. Both, Hafeez and Malik will keep in mind the fact that the event would be their last potentially and would like to finish the campaign on a high.