Prominent Pakistani cricketer Asif Ali calls time on international career

KARACHI: Pakistan middle-order batsman Asif Ali retired from international cricket just months before the 2026 T20 World Cup. He announced his retirement through a social media post on September 1. However, Asif will continue to play domestic and franchise cricket. Asif last played for Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup against India.

"I am announcing my retirement from international cricket. Wearing the Pakistan jersey was the greatest honour of my life. I am also proud to represent my country. I am retiring with gratitude to everyone and will continue my journey playing domestic and league cricket formats around the world," Ali wrote on social media.

In the 2021 World Twenty20, when Pakistan needed 24 runs from 12 balls to win against Afghanistan, Ali hit four sixes in the last over of Karim Janat. He scored 25 runs from seven balls. The match-winning performance helped Pakistan reach the semifinals in the tournament.

He also put in another brilliant performance in the Asia Cup the following year. He scored 16 runs off eight balls in the last over to help Pakistan chase down a target of 182 against India. Ali's international cricket career began in a Twenty20 match against the West Indies in April 2018. Ali made his T20I debut after a terrific display for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Premier League.