LAHORE: After being dropped from national team for the forthcoming Asia Cup, former Pakistan captain and seasoned all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez on Wednesday brushed aside the rumours about qutting international cricket, saying he would accept whatever decision the PCB takes.

It was initially reported that Hafeez was disappointed over the selectors’ decision to drop him from the squad for the Asia Cup while not featuring in a single ODI for Pakistan despite being part of the squad in the ODI series against Zimbabwe was another cause of concern.

But speaking to reporters in Lahore, the 37-year-old said he has no complaint with the PCB and will accept whatever decision is taken by the Board.

“There is no truth in news regarding my retirement. I have always been a fighter and would remain so. Some negative reports about me have been circulating in some sections of media for the past few days which are totally baseless,” Hafeez told reporters at the presser. “I would like to express that I will accept whatever decision is taken by the PCB.”

He added that he will try to impress the selectors by performing handsomely in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy in order to make a comeback into the national side.

“I will try to put up a good show in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy and impress the selectors once again. I can only perform on the field while the decision to pick me rests with the selectors,” he said. “I only play for respect and this is what I’m going to continue doing.”

Meanwhile, APP reported that Hafeez has written a letter to PCB chairman Ehsan Mani expressing his annoyance at being axed from the team.

“Despite my good performance the selection committee as well as the team management have not selected me and I have failed to understand that sort of attitude with a senior player of my stature,” the letter quoted 37-year-old Hafeez as saying.

“If they [selectors and team management] are not in favour of retaining me in the team then I should be told in straight and clear manner so that I should decide my future in the game and call it a day with dignity and pride,” the 200-ODI veteran continued in the letter.

Hafeez in the letter said that first he was dropped from the national team for the tour of Zimbabwe held earlier this year, and now he has been sidelined for an important event like the Asia Cup.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2018