All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez on Monday announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career spanning over 18 years, Aaj News reported.

Hafeez, who retired from Test cricket in 2018, also announced his decision in a press conference in Lahore today.

"I played with pride and satisfaction," the veteran of 55 Tests, 218 one-dayers and 119 Twenty20 internationals told a journalists in Lahore.

"In fact, I have earned and accomplished more than I had initially envisaged."

He made his international debut in an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2003 in Sharjah, with his last match turning out to be Pakistan’s defeat against Australia in the T20 World Cup semi-final last November.

"Hafeez represented Pakistan in 392 international matches, scoring 12,780 runs and taking 253 wickets, besides also captaining the side in 32 international matches. He was a member of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England and Wales. Overall, Hafeez played in three 50-over World Cups (2007, 2011 and 2019), six 20-over World Cups (2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2021) and three ICC Champions Trophy (2006, 2013 and 2017)," according to PCB press release.

In the ICC player rankings, Hafeez achieved the highest Test rankings of 22nd in batting, 29th in bowling and fifth in all-rounders. In the ODI rankings, Hafeez’s highest ranking was on March 13 2014, while he topped the bowling and all-rounder charts in August 2012 and January 2013. "Hafeez’s rankings in T20I were equally impressive, peaking to ninth in batting in February 2007, third in bowling in August 2013 and number-one in all-rounders in March 2014."

Hafeez said he was fortunate to have been considered "worthy of donning the national kit" with the Pakistan emblem for 18 years. “When you have a professional career as long as mine, you’re bound to have your share of highs and lows, and I was no different. Results apart, I can say with conviction that I had more highs as I had the privilege of playing with and against some of the finest exponents of the bat and the ball of my era."

He was of the view that cricket had provided him opportunities to visit various countries, explore their cultures and make friends, terming them lifelong memories, which they would cherish every day. "I want to thank my fans and supporters for believing in my abilities and backing me throughout my career.”

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja hailed Hafeez as a "wholehearted cricketer" who worked "tirelessly" at his game to have a long career. “His game evolved with time, adjusting to different formats quite intelligently. Later in his career, he became a T20 specialist, where he was never out of touch with the modern demands of this testing format. His batsmanship took a sprightly turn, nailing sixes almost at will," it read.

Hafeez is also remembered for protesting against Mohammad Amir being allowed to return to international cricket after serving a five-year ban for match-fixing.

"I thought that those who fixed matches should not be allowed to play for Pakistan again," he said.

"But it became a low point in my career and hurt me because I was told to mind my own business."