Updated - 01 Nov 2018, 07:06 PM
Azhar Ali, the batsman from Pakistan, has announced his retirement from one-day international cricket, saying he wishes to prolong his Test career.
Meanwhile, Azhar has admitted that he has taken this decision after prolonged consideration. He also added that it is the right time to focus on the five-day format.
“It is not a decision that I have taken suddenly,” he told reporters. “I had been considering this for quite some time. I think the time is right for me to focus on Test cricket. This is my personal decision for the betterment of my career,” he added.
Azhar Ali appeared last for Pakistan in white ball cricket was way back in January, earlier. Though he has been in and out of Pakistan’s 50-over team – and endured a difficult spell as captain that saw the side drop to ninth in the ICC Rankings – he proved a vital part of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy victory, scoring 228 runs at 45.60. Pakistan handed a humiliating defeat to India to win their first ICC Champions Trophy.
Azhar Ali also emphasised to support Pakistan’s white ball skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. He also shared high praise stating that he has done well for the team. Sarfraz Ahmed is currently leading the Pakistan side in the T20 series against New Zealand.
“All of us should support Sarfraz,” he said. “He is doing a brilliant job. He is handling everything very well. The team has gelled very well under him,” Azhar Ali added.
Azhar Ali has represented Pakistan in 53 ODIs scoring 1845 runs including three centuries. He boasts an average of 36.9 with the highest score of 102 runs.
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Pakistan national cricket team
