Asif Ali, known for his fearless finishing, retires from international cricket at 33, promising to continue his T20 career in franchise tournaments.
Pakistani cricketer Asif Ali has officially announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Asif said representing Pakistan was the greatest honour of his life. Known for his aggressive middle-order batting and powerful six-hitting ability, Asif thanked fans, teammates and coaches for their support throughout his career.
Asif made his international debut in 2018 and went on to play 21 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 58 T20 Internationals (T20Is) for Pakistan. He scored a total of 959 runs across both formats. His most memorable performance came during the 2021 T20 World Cup when he hit four sixes in one over against Afghanistan, helping Pakistan to a thrilling win. He was also known for playing quick, impactful cameos under pressure.
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Despite facing criticism during parts of his career for inconsistency, Asif remained a key part of Pakistan’s white-ball squads for several years. His role as a finisher was crucial in many games, especially during high-stakes tournaments like the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup. His final appearance for Pakistan came during the 2023 Asian Games.
While stepping away from international duty, Asif confirmed he will continue playing in domestic competitions and global T20 leagues. He expressed hope to give back to the game by mentoring young cricketers and continuing to entertain fans in franchise cricket.
