Hafeez considering retirement after demotion in central contract

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is reportedly considering retirement from international cricket after being demoted from Category A to B in Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) list of centrally contracted players.

The 37-year-old had been in Category A of PCB central contract, however, in this year’s contract his place in the highly exclusive group of six was given to rising star Babar Azam.

That hasn't gone down well with Hafeez, who is now disillusioned due to 'discriminatory treatment' and, as a result, 'cannot continue to keep on playing,' according to Dawn News.

It was reported earlier that Hafeez will not sign the central contract. Earlier, Hafeez had been sidelined from first four One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe and in protest he then refused to play the fifth match.

Hafeez has so far represented Pakistan in 83 T20I, 200 ODIs and in 50 Tests.