Islamabad, Dec 16: Fast bowler Muhammad Irfan has officially announced his retirement from international cricket.
During his career, Irfan represented Pakistan in four Test matches, 60 ODIs, and 22 T20Is, taking 10 wickets in Tests, 83 in ODIs, and 16 in T20Is. The 42-year-old is now the third Pakistani cricketer to retire from international cricket within the last 36 hours.
Irfan has been an active participant in domestic cricket, recently playing for Khan Research Laboratories in the President’s Cup. Known for his towering height and ability to generate extreme pace, Irfan often posed a challenge to top batting line-ups. However, injuries, including a pelvis stress fracture during the 2015 World Cup, significantly impacted his career.
Over his international tenure, Irfan claimed a total of 109 wickets across all formats. One of his career highlights was a Player of the Match performance in a 2013 ODI against South Africa at Centurion, where he dismissed key players like Graeme Smith, Colin Ingram, AB de Villiers, and Faf du Plessis in a fiery spell, helping Pakistan to a six-wicket victory.
Irfan’s T20I debut also stood out as he dismissed Virat Kohli during a bilateral series against India, contributing to a five-wicket win for Pakistan. Since stepping back from regular international duty, he has participated in T20 leagues globally, including a remarkable 23-dot-ball spell in the Caribbean Premier League in 2018.
Announcing his decision, Irfan expressed his gratitude: “I have decided to retire from international cricket. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support, love, and the unforgettable memories. I will continue to celebrate and support the game that has given me everything. Pakistan Zindabad!”
