LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Saturday took back his retirement from international cricket and said he was available for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Imad, who announced his retirement from international cricket in November last year, posted on X, formerly Twitter that he would give his “very best to bring laurels to my country”.

The 35-year-old sparkled in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League, playing a crucial role in Islamabad United’s title triumph which sparked calls of a return to the national side ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.

“I am happy to announce that pursuant to meeting PCB officials, I have reconsidered my retirement and am delighted to declare my availability for Pakistan cricket in T20I format leading up to ICC T20I World Cup 2024,” Imad stated.

“I would like to thank the PCB for reposing trust in me and I would give my very best to bring laurels to my country. Pakistan comes first.”

Imad, who made his international debut in 2015, has represented Pakistan in 55 ODIs and 66 T20Is and his decision means he is likely to be part of next month’s T20 series against New Zealand.

He shone with both bat and ball in the PSL, giving three match-winning performances on the trot during the finals stage.

His rich form had seen United captain and Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan making an appeal to him to take back his retirement.

Imad had been coy about making an international comeback immediately after the PSL final but said he felt he had “four or five years of cricket left in him”.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2024