PAK vs ENG: “This Is The Right Time For Me To Retire” – Pakistan Veteran Azhar Ali Announces Retirement From Test Cricket
Published - 16 Dec 2022, 02:46 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
The 37-year-old Azhar Ali, who is regarded as one of the most successful Test batters of Pakistan, has announced his retirement from the purest format of the game. The veteran batter will hang up his boots following the third Test against England in Karachi.
Azhar Ali, who made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia, has played 96 Tests for Pakistan and has scored 7097 runs at an average of 42.49. He has registered 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries in his successful Test career. Also, Azhar Ali is the only Pakistan batter to score a triple-century in pink-ball Test. Notably, the veteran batter had already retired from ODI cricket in 2018.
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In an official statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Azhar Ali said that he is honored and privileged to represent Pakistan at the highest level. The 37-year-old added that “after contemplating deeply” he felt the time has come to retire from the longest format of the game. He said:
“It has been a great honour and privilege for me to represent my country at the highest level. Deciding on when to call it a day is always tough, but, after contemplating deeply, I realised that this is the right time for me to retire from Test cricket.
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“There are many people who I am grateful to in this strenuous, yet beautiful journey. I want to make a special mention of my family without whose sacrifices; I would not have been where I am today. My parents, wife, siblings, and children have been my strength throughout.
“I have been blessed to share dressing room with some of the most outstanding cricketers with whom I share a strong bond. I feel much richer by calling these people my friends. I am also blessed to have played under some wonderful coaches to whom I will always remain grateful.”
Azhar Ali led Pakistan National Cricket Team in 9 Test matches in two separate tenures from 2016 to 2020. He said that captaining Pakistan was a “matter of great pride” for him. He stated:
“I retire from international cricket as a fulfilled cricketer who ticked most of the goals he had set for himself. Not many cricketers go on to lead their countries, and that I was able to captain Pakistan is a matter of great pride for me. From being a kid who started as a leg-spinner to becoming a mainstay in the Test batting line-up, I had the loveliest moments of my life that I will cherish forever.”
Azhar Ali has been one of the most committed and loyal servants of Pakistan cricket – Ramiz Raja
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has labeled Azhar as one of the most committed and loyal servants of Pakistan cricket. Also, Raja was hopeful of Azhar playing a key role in the development of Pakistan cricket in the coming years.
“Azhar Ali has been one of the most committed and loyal servants of Pakistan cricket. His grit and determination have been an inspiration for many young cricketers and he is a role model for up-and-coming cricketers.
“While it is sad that Pakistan will not have a player of his experience in the dressing room to draw upon, it only reflects the circle of life. I hope to see Azhar continuing to play a role in the development of Pakistan cricket and sharing his vast knowledge and experience with budding cricketers,” the PCB chairman said in an official media release.
Overall, Azhar Ali will finish his career as the 5th highest run-getter for Pakistan in the history of Test cricket behind Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8,832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8,829) and Mohammad Yousuf (7,530).
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