Abdul Razzaq retires from International cricket at the age of 37

Abdul Razzaq is one of the best all-rounders Pakistan ever produced. He has played some big matches and won some great games for the Men in Green. He was pivotal in their squad once but lost his place to rising young talents. Razzaq last played for Pakistan in 2013 in a T20 international. The all-rounder’s last One Day International for Pakistan was way back in 2011.

However, those appearances will remain his last as he has decided to call it a day on his international career. Razzaq was hoping to get another opportunity to represent the national team but the chance never came his way. He played his last domestic game in 2015 and has not been in contention since.

Time up says Razzaq

Razzaq said that every cricketer has to retire someday and this is his time and that he was out of cricket for the last three or four years and it is almost impossible for him to make a comeback now.

“A time comes when every player has to retire and I think this is the right time for me to do so. I have been out of cricket for the past three to four years, so it is really difficult to make a comeback now,” said Razzaq while talking to the Express Tribune.

“When I was axed from the team, I shouldn’t have given up. If I hadn’t given up and had continued to work hard, I might have earned my place back, but I was so tired of all the internal politics,” he added.

On his post-retirement plans

Razzaq is open to coaching if the PCB asks him. He also stated the fact that the young players needs the real coaching and the senior players just need motivation. Stressing on the fact that if all the underage teams are given good coaching then natural talents will emerge and Pakistan can again produce some good cricketers.

“Young players need a dedicated coach to learn the skills required to be an all-rounder. Senior players who are already part of the team don’t need coaching; they just need assistance and motivation but those at the start of their career need more careful guidance. I am always happy to share my experience with the future of Pakistan cricket, and I am available if the PCB wants my services,” Razzaq explained.

The Pakistan all-rounder, however, will continue to play first-class cricket. He has signed for SNGPL and will continue to compete in the domestic One Day and T20 tournaments. “I have recently signed with SNGPL, while I will also compete in domestic one-day and T20 tournaments,” said Razzaq. “I am an assistant coach in the PSL so I don’t think I can play there.”

On the farewell game

He also hopes for a farewell game alongside his former teammates. Recently Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan called it a day and Shahid Afridi also hung up his boots. The 37-year-old still hopes to get his farewell game with these guys.

He also said that if the Pakistan Cricket Board believes he deserves a farewell match then he probably will and also stressed on the fact that every cricketer who has served his country loves to go out on a high.

“Every cricketer who has served the national team for so long wishes to retire on a high and to have a good farewell. So if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) thinks I should get a farewell, then I’ll be happy to play that match,” exclaimed and emotional Razzaq.

He also said that the announcement is a mere formality. He revealed, “Shahid Afridi, Misbah, Younus and Muhammad Yousuf — all the players who I used to play with back in the day — have retired. The announcement is merely a formality. The main thing is coming to terms with the reality that your time in international cricket has ended.”