Pakistan Test veteran announces retirement from International cricket after Karachi Test

The upcoming third Test match between Pakistan and England will be the last Test for veteran Test batter Azhar Ali. The Pakistan cricketer has announced that he will retire from international cricket after the Test in Karachi.

The former Pakistan skipper has played 96 Tests so far in his career. He will retire with only three Tests short of becoming the sixth Pakistan cricketer to have played 100 Test matches.
Azhar could have reached the feat, however, the 37-year-old felt that the time is right for him to call it quits from the game.

He made the announcement on the eve of the Karachi Test, saying: “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 realized that this is the right time for me to retire from Test cricket.

To captain Pakistan is a matter of great pride for me: Azhar Ali

“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,” Ali was quoted as saying.

“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.

“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 legspinner 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 missed out on the last Test match against England in Multan. In the first Test, he registered scores of 27 (48) and 40 (81). The third and final Test match of the series is scheduled to be played from 17th December to 21st December 2022.