Last over magician batsman Asif Ali bids farewell to international cricket

LAHORE: Pakistan batter Asif Ali has officially announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33. The middle-order power hitter, known for his aggressive finishing ability, confirmed that while his chapter with the national team has come to a close, he will continue playing in domestic competitions and global franchise leagues.

In a post shared on his social media accounts, Asif Ali wrote, “Today, I announce my retirement from international cricket. 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.”

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He added, “To my fans, teammates, and coaches, thank you for your love, belief, and support through every high and low. To my family and friends, who stood with me in moments of joy and in the deepest of trials, including the loss of my beloved daughter during the World Cup, your strength carried me forward.”

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A post shared by Asif Ali (@asif9741)

Asif’s international journey began in 2018, debuting in T20Is against the West Indies shortly after a standout performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Islamabad United, where he famously struck three consecutive sixes in the final. His ODI debut followed just two months later.

Over the course of his international career, Asif featured in 58 T20Is and 21 ODIs, often slotted in as a finisher. While his innings were typically brief, they were sometimes game-changing. His most iconic performance came in the 2021 T20 World Cup, when he bludgeoned four sixes in a crucial over to lead Pakistan to a nail-biting win over Afghanistan. Asif Ali’s knock helped Pakistan secure a spot in the semifinals.

A year later, he played a similarly vital role in the Asia Cup against India, hammering 16 runs off just 8 balls to push Pakistan into the final.

Despite these moments of brilliance, Asif’s career was also marked by inconsistency and occasional mismanagement. Often underutilised in T20Is and pushed up the order in ODIs, the timing of his entries didn’t always suit his strengths. In T20 internationals, he averaged just over seven balls per innings, a sign that he was frequently sent in too late to make a sustained impact.

As younger and more consistent big-hitters began to emerge in Pakistan’s ranks, Asif found himself edged out of the playing XI. His last major appearance came during the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he had a limited role despite Pakistan reaching the final. A brief return followed at the 2023 Asian Games as part of a second-string squad.

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Another footnote that will always accompany Asif Ali’s cricket achievements would be the love he received from the ardent supporters of PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars, pushing the erratic team over the edge towards a win – more than once. And that too, after not being able to stand against the newcomer Zaman Khan.

Here’s a little recap of Asif Ali’s sixes, shared by the official account of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB):