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Pakistan Veteran Asif Ali Announces International Cricket Retirement At 33

Soumyajit Dutta

Asif Ali announces retirement [Source: @ali40178/X.com]Asif Ali announces retirement [Source: @ali40178/X.com]

Pakistan middle-order batter Asif Ali on Monday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career that often saw him step up in high-pressure situations. The 33-year-old confirmed his decision through a heartfelt letter shared on his official Instagram handle, thanking his country, teammates, fans, and family for their support during his journey in Pakistan colours.

Known for his fearless batting in the middle order, he represented Pakistan in both ODIs and T20Is but never got the opportunity to play Test cricket. The right-hander was a part of Pakistan’s squads in the 2021 and 2022 ICC T20 World Cups, where he played crucial knocks to help his team progress to the knockout stages.

Asim Thanks Pakistan, After 8 Years!

Asif made his international debut in 2018 against the West Indies in Karachi. Over the course of his career, he featured in 21 ODIs, scoring 382 runs, and 58 T20Is, where he amassed 577 runs. His most memorable innings came in the 2021 T20 World Cup against Afghanistan, where he smashed a match-winning 25 off just 7 deliveries, a knock that cemented his reputation as a reliable finisher under pressure.

In his retirement note, Asif reflected on his journey with deep gratitude. “Alhamdulillah, 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,” he wrote. 

Asif Ali's retirement letter [Source: Screengrab]Asif Ali's retirement letter [Source: Screengrab]

He went on to thank his fans, teammates, coaches, and family, recalling their unwavering support during the highs and lows of his career. He also made an emotional mention of losing his young daughter during a World Cup campaign, a personal tragedy that deeply affected him but also gave him the strength to carry on.

Asif To Continue In League Cricket

Although Asif Ali has retired from international cricket, he confirmed that he will continue playing franchise leagues and domestic cricket around the world. His ability to deliver in crunch moments has left Pakistan fans with lasting memories of his contributions, particularly in T20 cricket.