KARACHI: Out-of-favour Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday.

“In recent days, I have been doing a lot of thinking about my international career and I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to announce my retirement from international cricket,” the 34-year-old said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Imad showed his gratitude for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their support over the years, adding, “It has truly been an honour to represent Pakistan”.

“Each of my 121 appearances across the One-day International and T20 formats was a dream come true,” he said. “It’s an exciting time for Pakistan cricket going forward with new coaches and incoming leadership,” Imad said, adding that he was looking forward to seeing the national team excel.

“I now look forward to focusing on the next stage of my playing career away from the international stage,” he said.

Responding to Imad’s post on X, the PCB thanked him for his “services to Pakistan cricket over the years”.

“Wishing you all the best for your future endeavours,” the PCB said.

A separate press release issued by the board quoted PCB Interim Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf as saying that Wasim had been a “valuable asset to Pakistan cricket”.

“His performances, especially in white-ball cricket, have been crucial to the team’s success. While we respect his decision to retire, we will miss his presence on the field,” Zaka said.

“On behalf of the PCB and its management committee, I extend our sincere thanks to Imad for his services to Pakistan cricket and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” he added.

The left-handed all-rounder’s last appearance in ODIs for Pakistan came against Zimbabwe in 2020. He last represented the country in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand in Rawalpindi in April this year.

Imad, who made his ODI debut for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2015, played 55 ODIs and 66 T20Is as a left-arm orthodox spinner and lower-order batter. He took 109 wickets while scoring 1,472 runs in both formats in his international career.

Imad won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 under the captaincy of Sarfraz Ahmed and led Karachi Kings to their only Pakistan Super League title in 2020.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2023