The Pakistan cricket team has received a major setback just before the start of the Asia Cup 2025. Asif Ali, the team's experienced batsman and finisher, has suddenly announced his retirement from international cricket.
Sports News: Pakistan cricket has suffered a major blow right before the Asia Cup 2025. Experienced batsman Asif Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket. Asif has played 21 ODIs and 58 T20 Internationals for Pakistan. Throughout his career, Asif Ali mostly batted in the middle and lower order, playing the role of a finisher for the team. He made significant contributions by playing explosive innings on many occasions to guide Pakistan to victory.
Announced Retirement Through Social Media Post
On September 1, 2025, Asif Ali shared an emotional message on his social media account, stating, "Today I bid farewell to international cricket. Wearing the Pakistan jersey has been the greatest honour of my life. Serving my country has been a matter of pride for me. I am heartily grateful to my teammates, coaching staff, and fans who have always supported me." His announcement has surprised Pakistani cricket fans, as the team is preparing for major tournaments like the Asia Cup in the coming days.
However, Asif Ali has also clarified that while he is retiring from international cricket, he will continue to play domestic cricket and in various T20 leagues around the world. He had an excellent performance for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and made a significant contribution to the team winning the title in 2018.
In the finisher's role, he remained an important player for Pakistan's T20 team for a long time. His explosive batting secured victories for Pakistan in many matches, although a lack of consistency prevented him from securing a permanent place in the team.
International Career Start and Performance
Asif Ali made his T20 International debut in April 2018 against the West Indies. He was soon included in the ODI team as well, playing his first ODI match in June of the same year against Zimbabwe.
- ODI Career: 21 matches, 382 runs, average 25.46, three half-centuries, best score 52 runs.
- T20 International Career: 58 matches, 577 runs, average 15.18, strike rate 133.87, best score unbeaten 41 runs.
Asif could not score a single century in his career, but he helped Pakistan win on many occasions by playing quick innings. Asif Ali was a regular part of the Pakistan team between 2018 and 2023. He was often sent to bat in the lower order, where he was expected to score quick runs. However, due to a lack of consistency, he could not secure a permanent place in the team for a long time.
His last ODI was played in April 2022 against Australia. He played his last T20 in October 2023 against Bangladesh. Since then, he had been out of the national team, but his career in franchise cricket continued.
