‘Jo humare youngsters aa rahe hain’- Pakistan’s Azhar Ali reveals heart-touching reason for his retirement
Ali played 97 Test matches for Pakistan.
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Dec 20, 2022 2:24 pm
Azhar Ali (Image source: Twitter)
Pakistan veteran Azhar Ali played his final international Test match on Monday. It was Ali’s 97th Test match for Pakistan’s national team after making his debut way back in 2010. The right-hand batter has made 7142 runs in Tests with the highest score of 302.
Ali has also played 53 ODI matches where he scored 1845 runs with an average of 36.90. The 37-year old however drew the curtains on a glittering career in the third Test against England. Speaking in the post-match conference, Ali revealed that he took retirement in order to make way for youngsters.
‘Last season tha maine socha hua tha ki main akhiri season khelunga. Obviously, ye sab chezen media me rakh nahi sakte kyunki fir aur sawal uthna shuru ho jate hain (I thought this would be my last season but didn’t tell to the media due to fear of questions), “ said Ali.
“Mera ye koshish thi, honestly speaking, ki main 100 Tests complete karun. Ye akhiri season hai mera to main agar pura season khelta hoon to main 100 Test complete kar raha hoon (I wanted to complete 100 Test matches. If I had played the entirety of this season, I would have gotten to 100 Tests), “ iterated the Pakistan batter.
He however said that his retirement would make way for the youngsters and it would be for the best.
“Wo bhi jahir baat hai nahi ho sakta hai to fir I think ki its better ki jo hmare youngsters aa rahe hain (Now it’s not possible, but it would be good for the youngster coming in), “ said Ali in an honest conversation with media.
Did not take retirement due to someone’s statement- Ali
“Main apna bhi well being dekhni hai maine ki kis tarah se maine aage life aur beetane hai. Us lihaaz ke dekhte hue main decision liya. Kisi ke statement se, kisi ki use, I don’t think ki itna fark parna chahiye (I would also have to look after my well-being. I took the decision based on these factors. Someone’s statements should not affect you much after playing cricket for long),” concluded Ali.
Ali had a disappointing end to his career as Pakistan were whitewashed by England in the three match Test series.
