Asad Shafiq announces his retirement, set to join Pakistan selection committee

Asad Shafiq scored 4660 runs for Pakistan in 77 matches he played in the longest form of the game.

Discarded Pakistani middle-order batter Asad Shafiq has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. Shafiq was Pakistan’s key middle-order batter in the red-ball format and had represented the Pakistan team in 77 test matches. Shafiq will be joining in as a member of the national selection panel of Pakistan side. He will sign a paid contract with Pakistan Cricket Board soon. Shafiq played his last game for Pakistan in August 2020. 

The 37-year-old middle-order batter revealed that he has lost all the excitement of playing the game and representing the national side. The dip in passion has forced him to announce his retirement from international cricket. Asad Shafiq was discarded from Pakistan setup after 2020. Shafiq has played a few magnificent innings for Pakistan in red-ball format notably a 137 at Gabba against Australia in the fourth test match in 2016.

‘Not feeling the same excitement,’ said Asad Shafiq

While announcing his retirement Asad Shafiq said, “I am not feeling the same excitement and passion playing cricket and neither do I have the same fitness levels required for international cricket. Which is why I have decided to say goodbye to all cricket.” He held a press conference after leading Karachi Whites to National T20 championship title. Karachi defeated Abbottabad in National T20 final played at National Stadium on Sunday. 

Asad Shafiq also informed that he has got a contract from Pakistan Cricket Board to perform duty as member of the panel. Shafiq expressed that working as a national selector will be an exciting challenge for him. Shafiq added, “I have got the contract from the board and I am looking at it and hopefully it will be processed soon.” Wahab Riaz is Pakistan cricket team’s chief selector along with a few other big names like Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum as advisors.

Asad Shafiq represented Pakistan in 77 tests, 60, ODIs, and 10 T20I games in international cricket. Shafiq had wonderful numbers in test cricket and scored 4660 runs in 128 innings. His test average stands at 38.19, he scored 12 test hundreds in his career. Shafiq’s ODI average is 24.74 in 58 ODI innings, while his T20I numbers also look dismal as a middle-order batter. Pakistan team are currently in Australia for a three-match test series. 

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