Asad Shafiq, the seasoned middle-order batsman, has officially announced his retirement from all cricket formats at the age of 37.
Shafiq, who recently led Karachi Whites to victory in the National T20 Championship, revealed his decision in a post-match press conference, citing a diminishing passion for the game and a decline in fitness levels required for international cricket.
With an impressive record of 77 Tests, 60 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for Pakistan, Shafiq played a pivotal role in the country’s cricket legacy. His contributions in Test cricket were particularly noteworthy, amassing 4660 runs, including 12 centuries.
The veteran batter made his final international appearance for Pakistan against England in 2020 but continued to showcase his skills in domestic cricket, harboring hopes of a national team comeback.
Addressing the media, Shafiq explained his decision, saying, “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.”
Despite being dropped from the national squad in 2020, Shafiq persevered in domestic cricket for three years, fueled by the desire for another opportunity to represent Pakistan. However, with the 2023 season approaching, he made the heartfelt decision to retire on his own terms.
“After being dropped in 2020, I kept on playing domestic cricket for three years 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 remarked.
A stalwart in Misbah-ul-Haq’s squad, Shafiq played a crucial role in Pakistan’s ascent to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings. Notably, he still holds the record for hitting the most centuries at No. 6 in Tests, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
