Shami quits Tests to keep white-ball game focus

Published Updated
0

MUMBAI: India fast bowler Mohammed Shami said he would continue playing white-ball cricket and remain available for domestic multi-day matc­hes after retiring from Test cricket on Friday, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year red-ball career.

The 36-year-old, who took 229 wickets in 64 Tests after making a memorable debut against West Indies in 2013, announced his decision in a video posted on social media on the anniversary of his first test appearance.

“Let’s end this 13-year journey here today,” Shami said. “I made my debut today, and today I am taking retirement. I am leaving this, but I will continue to play white-ball cricket, whether it is IPL or domestic. So, this was the journey so far. I started it today, and I am ending it today.”

His final Test appearance came in the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023, but he continued to play limited-overs cricket before injuries and fitness concerns hampered his appearances for India.

Shami last featured for India in an ODI against New Zealand last year and in a Twenty20 match against England in February 2025.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2026

Opinion

Editorial

The debt burden
Updated 07 Nov, 2026

The debt burden

The government borrows to cover consumption, budget deficits, and external payments — not to build anything that pays for itself.
Expendable LGs
07 Nov, 2026

Expendable LGs

POLITICAL parties frequently appear reluctant to hold regular local bodies elections on one pretext or another. This...
Scam centres
07 Nov, 2026

Scam centres

THE recent raid by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency on a dubious call centre in Karachi shows how...
Reviewing ties
Updated 06 Nov, 2026

Reviewing ties

With the Democrats clawing back power in Congress, changes in America’s approach to global engagement are likely to occur.
Genuine engagement
06 Nov, 2026

Genuine engagement

THE PTI-led opposition alliance TTAP appears to have finally brought an initially reluctant Maulana Fazlur Rahman on...
Human bondage
Updated 06 Nov, 2026

Human bondage

Law enforcement and political quarters are notorious for protecting the perpetrators, instead of ensuring legal implementation. Systemic coercion will keep Pakistan from becoming a humane state.