NEW DELHI: Pakistan Test batter Asad Shafiq has declared his retirement from all forms of cricket, citing a waning passion for the game. The 37-year-old made the announcement after leading Karachi Whites to victory in the National T20 Championship.
“I am not feeling the same excitement and passion playing cricket, and neither do I have the same fitness levels required for international cricket.Which is why I have decided to say goodbye to all cricket,” Shafiq stated in a press conference.
Shafiq revealed that he is set to sign a contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to become a paid national selector. Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, he said, “I have got the contract from the board, and I am looking at it, and hopefully it will be processed soon.”
The veteran batter played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s Test batting lineup from 2010 to 2020, accumulating 4660 runs in 77 games at an average of 38.19, including 12 centuries and 27 half-centuries. Alongside Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, and Misbah ul Haq, Shafiq formed the core of Pakistan’s Test middle order.
Having maintained a clean and non-controversial image throughout his career, Shafiq was seen as a symbol of stability for Pakistan cricket, especially after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010. He emphasised that he had never felt pressured in his international career and always made decisions based on what he believed was best for the team.
“After being dropped in 2020, I kept on playing domestic cricket for three years, yes, in the hope of getting another crack at the Pakistan team. But before the start of this season, I had decided this would be my last season because I felt that closing in on 38 years of age, this was the time to retire instead of people telling me to step down,” Shafiq explained.
Proud of his contribution to the team’s resurgence under Misbah ul Haq post the spot-fixing scandal, Shafiq reflected on a challenging period for Pakistan cricket and expressed contentment in winning back the confidence of the fans.
In response to questions about potential biases in player selection, especially concerning players from Karachi, Shafiq, interestingly, did not outright dismiss the suggestion, indirectly acknowledging the complexities within the selection process in Pakistan cricket.
(With inputs from PTI)
“I am not feeling the same excitement and passion playing cricket, and neither do I have the same fitness levels required for international cricket.Which is why I have decided to say goodbye to all cricket,” Shafiq stated in a press conference.
Shafiq revealed that he is set to sign a contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to become a paid national selector. Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, he said, “I have got the contract from the board, and I am looking at it, and hopefully it will be processed soon.”
The veteran batter played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s Test batting lineup from 2010 to 2020, accumulating 4660 runs in 77 games at an average of 38.19, including 12 centuries and 27 half-centuries. Alongside Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, and Misbah ul Haq, Shafiq formed the core of Pakistan’s Test middle order.
Having maintained a clean and non-controversial image throughout his career, Shafiq was seen as a symbol of stability for Pakistan cricket, especially after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010. He emphasised that he had never felt pressured in his international career and always made decisions based on what he believed was best for the team.
“After being dropped in 2020, I kept on playing domestic cricket for three years, yes, in the hope of getting another crack at the Pakistan team. But before the start of this season, I had decided this would be my last season because I felt that closing in on 38 years of age, this was the time to retire instead of people telling me to step down,” Shafiq explained.
Proud of his contribution to the team’s resurgence under Misbah ul Haq post the spot-fixing scandal, Shafiq reflected on a challenging period for Pakistan cricket and expressed contentment in winning back the confidence of the fans.
In response to questions about potential biases in player selection, especially concerning players from Karachi, Shafiq, interestingly, did not outright dismiss the suggestion, indirectly acknowledging the complexities within the selection process in Pakistan cricket.
(With inputs from PTI)