Asif Ali retires from international cricket

Asif Ali has announced retirement from all forms of international cricket. The out-of-favour middle-order batter last featured for Pakistan in October 2023. He played 21 ODIs and 58 T20Is during his international career spanning from 2018 to 2023.

The 33-year-old recently announced his decision on a social media post, expressing gratitude towards Pakistan cricket. He stated that he will be pursuing cricket on a domestic and franchise league in the future. 

"Today, I announce my retirement from international cricket. 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. I retire with immense gratitude and will continue to share my passion for the game by playing domestic and league cricket worldwide," Asif posted on social media.

Asif was called up to the T20I side against West Indies in April 2018 following a string of stellar outings for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He made his ODI debut just two months later.

He was a victim of inconsistent selection despite occasional glimpses of excellence. Asif could come in late into the innings and act as a finisher in the 50-over format. At times, he was also pushed up the order in the same format. He averaged just over seven balls per innings in his 58 matches and finished unbeaten in around one-fourth of his T20I outings. The stat highlights how underused he was.

He has played across a variety of franchise leagues besides the PSL. Asif has represented franchises in the Big Bash League (BBL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Mzansi Super League and the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Overall, he scored 382 runs at an average of 25.46 and strike rate of 121.65 in 21 ODIs while he amassed 577 runs at  a strike rate of  133.87 in 58 T20Is for Pakistan.