Did not retire from Test cricket due to fear of Dale Steyn: Mohammad Hafeez

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez on Saturday dismissed the hearsay that he retired from the longest format due to fear of facing South African pacer Dale Steyn.

The 38-year-old, who had been dismissed 15 times by Steyn in all formats, told Cricket Pakistan: "I did not retire from Test cricket due to fear of facing Dale Steyn. I took this decision for the betterment of Pakistan cricket but if someone thinks on those lines, then good luck with that."

Hafeez also added that his current focus is on playing the upcoming 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. "I don't have any plans in place regarding retirement from ODIs and T20Is because right now my focus is on playing the ODI World Cup for Pakistan. As long as I am fit and performing well in the field, I will continue to represent Pakistan in limited-overs cricket."

Talking about Pakistan's Test series loss against New Zealand at the United Arab Emirates, the all-rounder said that it is important to forget what happened in the past when embarking on a new tour.

New Zealand spectacularly snatched the decider of the three-match Test series against hosts Pakistan from the jaws of defeat to register a first away victory in the longest format of the game in 49 years.

"Although the results did not go as expected during the recently concluded New Zealand Test series in UAE but having said it is always important to ensure that we forget the results of the past and keep of our minds focused on our next series."

The neighbours will commence their tour of South Africa later in the month to play three-Test match series, five-match ODI series and three T20 Internationals. Hafeez also said: "The conditions in South Africa are challenging but that does not mean that teams can't go and win there. Pakistan has the required set of players who have the ability to go there and come up with the goods."

The Pakistan all-rounder who will be leading Lahore Qalandars in the next edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) also said: "The Lahore Qalandars management have placed their trust in me by making me captain of the side and I will try not to disappoint the fans and the owners. Hopefully, the side will put up a great show in the next season of PSL."

The upcoming fourth edition of PSL will begin on February 14 and conclude on March 17.