Pakistan Middle-Order Batter Asif Ali Retires From International Cricket

Pakistani middle-order batter Asif Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket, describing wearing the Pakistan jersey as the greatest honor of his life. The 33-year-old played 21 ODIs and 58 T20Is since his debut in 2018, scoring a total of 959 runs including three centuries across formats, and was known for his aggressive batting style, highlighted by a memorable 25 runs in seven balls against Afghanistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Asif expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fans, teammates, coaches, and family, especially acknowledging their support during difficult times including the loss of his daughter during the World Cup. Despite stepping away from international duty, he confirmed he will continue playing domestic and franchise league cricket worldwide. His last international appearance was in October 2023 during the Asian Games. Asif’s retirement comes amid Pakistan’s evolving squad selections, including notable exclusions from the 2025 Asia Cup team.