Azhar Ali Announces His Retirement From Test Cricket, Will PLay Last Match Against England

One of Pakistan’s most prolific test batters and former captain Azhar Ali has decided to retire from the longest format of the game. The batter will play his last match against England in the ongoing three-match test series.

So far the batter has played 96 test matches for India, scoring 7097 runs with an impressive average of 42.49. The batter made his test debut against Australia in Lord’s back in 2010. Till now he has smashed 19 centuries in his career with 35 half-centuries. Not only as a batter but he also served the Pakistan cricket team between 2016 and 2020 as a skipper.

Talking about his retirement and the cricket journey, he said,” It has been a great honor and privilege for me to represent my country at the highest level,” Azhar said in a statement on Friday, 16 December. “Deciding on when to call it a day is always tough, but, after contemplating deeply, I realized that this is the right time for me to retire from Test cricket.”

He further added, “There are many people who I am grateful to in this strenuous, yet beautiful journey. I want to make a special mention of 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.”

“I have been blessed to share a dressing room with some of the most outstanding cricketers with whom I share a strong bond,” Azhar reflected. “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.

“I retire from international cricket as a fulfilled cricketer who ticked most of the goals he had set for himself. Not many cricketers go on to lead their countries, and that 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, I had the loveliest moments of my life that I will cherish forever.”

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