KARACHI: Recently retired Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez insists that he is not scared of the Proteas pace attack. The stalwart retired from Test cricket on the eve of Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand in Dubai last week.

But with a South African safari around the corner, the sudden retirement prompted many pundits to accuse him of fearing the likes of the fiery Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada.

But Hafeez revealed this is not the case. “I did not retire from Test cricket because I was not performing, I retired from Test cricket because of personal reasons,” the 38-year-old told a leading TV channel in Pakistan.

“I have achieved many milestones in my career and there were no other milestones left for me to play for. I want to focus on white ball cricket from now on.”

“People think that I am afraid of South Africa’s playing conditions and Steyn and Rabada. I have to face these bowlers in one-day cricket also. I will answer these statements with my performance.”

Hafeez is one of the few to retire on his own steam in Pakistan and with 3652 Test runs with ten centuries, it’s been a good run.

That said, Hafeez’s numbers on the green tracks of South Africa meant that he was unlikely to be picked for the South African tour in any case.

Steyn has taken a liking to the right-hander, taking his scalp eight times in seven matches for an average of just 8.75.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2018