Pakistan’s middle-order batter Asif Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket, describing it as the “greatest honour” of his life to represent the country.
The 33-year-old cricketer, known for his explosive batting style and finishing ability, represented Pakistan in 21 ODIs and 58 T20Is, mainly in the role of a middle-order power hitter.
“Wearing the Pakistan jersey has been the greatest honour of my life and serving my country on the cricket field has been my proudest chapter,” Asif said in a heartfelt social media post.
He expressed gratitude to his fans, teammates, coaches, and family, acknowledging their unwavering support through the highs and lows of his career. Reflecting on personal tragedy, he credited his family’s strength for carrying him forward after the devastating loss of his young daughter during the World Cup.
Asif made his T20I debut in April 2018 against West Indies, shortly after his heroics in the PSL 2018 final for Islamabad United, where he smashed three successive sixes at a crucial stage to guide his team to victory. He made his ODI debut two months later.
One of his most iconic performances came in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 against Afghanistan, where he struck four sixes in the penultimate over to seal Pakistan’s win, an innings still celebrated by fans.
Despite occasional controversies, including a heated exchange with Afghanistan’s Fareed Ahmad during the Asia Cup in Sharjah, Asif remained a key figure in Pakistan’s T20 setup, boasting impressive strike rates of 133.87 in T20Is and 121.65 in ODIs, as highlighted by the ICC.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) thanked Asif Ali for his contributions, while teammate Shadab Khan praised him in a tribute post, calling him “one of the best teammates and a brother.”
Asif Ali confirmed that while his international career has concluded, he will continue to play domestic and franchise cricket worldwide, ensuring fans will still see his power-hitting skills on display.
