Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali on Friday announced he was retiring from Test cricket after the third and final Test match against England in Karachi.
The last match of the three-game series will begin in Karachi on Saturday.
With 7,097 runs in 96 matches at an average of 42.49, Ali is Pakistan’s fifth leading Test run-scorer after Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8,832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8,829) and Mohammad Yousuf (7,530), according to the PCB.
Azhar Ali also captained Pakistan in nine Tests in two separate tenures from 2016 to 2020.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, the right-handed batsman said, “Everything has its time. This is the right time, tomorrow will be my career’s last Test. It was an honour for him to represent Pakistan.”
The former captain said that there were many people who he was grateful to in the “strenuous, yet beautiful journey”.
“I want to mention 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,” said Azhar.
The batsman said he was blessed to share a dressing room with some of the most outstanding cricketers with whom he shared 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,” said the batsman.
“Not many cricketers go on to lead their countries, and 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,” said Azhar.
Remember that He is Pakistan’s fifth leading Test run-getter behind Younis Khan, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Mohammad Yousuf.
Azhar captained Pakistan in nine Tests in two separate tenures from 2016 to 2020.
Former cricketers including Mohammad Hafeez wished him the best of luck for his future.
