Pakistan Middle-Order Batter Asif Ali Announces International Retirement
Karachi, Pakistan – Pakistan international cricketer Asif Ali, known for his aggressive finishing style, has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket, effective instantly. The 33-year-old represented Pakistan in 21 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 58 Twenty20 internationals (T20Is).
Asif burst onto the international scene following a standout performance for Islamabad United in the 2018 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he clinched the title with a crucial display of power-hitting – including three consecutive sixes in the final. He debuted in T20Is against West Indies in April 2018,followed by his ODI debut two months later.
While frequently enough deployed as a finisher, Asif’s role within the Pakistan batting order was sometimes debated.He frequently batted at number six in ODIs, a position some felt didn’t fully utilize his explosive capabilities.In T20Is, he averaged just over seven balls per innings across his 58-match career, finishing unbeaten in over a quarter of his appearances – suggesting he was often introduced late in the innings.
Despite this, Asif delivered several memorable moments for Pakistan. He is perhaps best remembered for his match-winning seven-ball 25 against Afghanistan in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he smashed four sixes in a single over to propel Pakistan towards the semi-finals. He also played a key role in Pakistan’s victory over India at the 2022 Asia Cup, scoring a quickfire 16 off 8 balls.
Though, his form dipped following the 2021 T20 World Cup, and he became a peripheral figure in the team. his final meaningful appearance for the senior Pakistan side came against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) later that year, with subsequent appearances limited to a second-string squad at the 2023 Asian Games.
“Wearing the Pakistan jersey has been the greatest honor of my life and serving my country on the cricket field has been my proudest chapter,” Asif stated in a social media post announcing his retirement.
Asif confirmed he will continue to pursue his passion for the game by participating in domestic cricket and franchise leagues globally. “I retire with immense gratitude, and will continue to share my passion for the game by playing domestic and league cricket worldwide,” he said.
