KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain and well-known commentator Ramiz Raja hasadvised senior players Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to take retirementfrom international cricket.
“They should leave international cricket with respect and gracefully,” hesaid on Monday about the two former captains.
Talking to the media in a video conference, Raja said he avoids makingpersonal comments on a player.
“I come across both during my assignments that is why I avoid makingpersonal comments. There is no doubt both have served Pakistan cricket wellall these years. But now I think it is time they gracefully retired fromthe Pakistan team,” he said.
Ramiz said he was not looking for any post in the Pakistan Cricket Boardand tried to speak honestly on cricket matters.
“I think if they retire now it will help Pakistan cricket. We have a goodpool of players and we must move ahead.”
Both Hafeez and Malik were recalled to the Pakistan team for the T20 formatin February after remaining on the sidelines since last year’s World Cup inEngland.
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The decision by head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq to recall themmet with mixed reactions and many have criticised the move to go back tosenior players in the shortened format.
Hafeez, 39 and Malik, 38, both have insisted they still have plenty ofcricket left in them to represent Pakistan in the World T20 Cup later thisyear in Australia.
However, Hafeez has said that he will retire from all international cricketafter the mega T20 event.
Malik, who retired from Tests four years ago and also stepped down from ODIcricket last year after the World Cup, remains tight lipped about hisfuture plans.
