Azhar Ali to retire from Test cricket after England series

KARACHI: Azhar Ali, considered as one of Pakistan's most successful batters in red-ball cricket, announced on Friday that he would be retiring from Test cricket following the third and final match of the series against England, which begins on Saturday.

The Karachi Test against England will be Ali's last and 97th Test match for Pakistan, since he made his debut in the format against Australia at Lord's in 2010. Till now, he has amassed 7,097 runs in 96 matches at an average of 42.49, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries.

"It has been a great honour and privilege for me to represent my country at the highest level. Deciding on when to call it a day is always tough, but, after contemplating deeply, I realised that this is the right time for me to retire from Test cricket.

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," said Ali in an official statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Ali is also Pakistan's fifth leading run-getter in Test cricket behind legendary batters Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8,832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8,829) and Mohammad Yousuf (7,530). In 2010, Azhar, shortly after his Test debut as a 25-year-old, scored his maiden Test half-century in only his Test second match. IANS

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