Azhar Ali Test Retirement: Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali is set to announce his retirement from Test cricket after the third and final Test match of the England tour of Pakistan 2022.
Azhar Ali Test Retirement
Pakistan lost the 1st Test match by 74 runs and lost the 2nd Test match by 26 runs and lost the 3-match Test series and eventually lost the ICC WTC 23 final race.
Azhar Ali made his Test debut for Pakistan against Australia in the first Test at Lord’s in July 2010. Ali became the first ever centurion, double Centurion as well as triple centurion in a Day and Night Test Match, when he scored 302 against West Indies in October 2016.
Azhar thanked all his teammates with whom he has shared a good on and off-field understanding. Starting as a wrist spinner, it was not easy to become the Test batting line-up’s mainstay for the better part of 12 years.
Azhar Ali opens on his Test retirement and 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.
“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.
“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.”
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said “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.”
He has represented Pakistan in 96 Tests, and 53 ODIs scoring 7097 and 1845 runs respectively.
