Courtesy: Google
On Friday, December 13, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim announced his retirement from international cricket in an emotional post on his official X account. It was just over a year ago when the 35-year-old had initially decided to walk away from international cricket, only to make his triumphant return to the Pakistan cricket team earlier this year, to take part in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the Caribbean.
Notably, the initial retirement from international cricket from Imad Wasim came last year during the ODI World Cup 2023 after he wasn’t picked in the Pakistan squad to tour India. But, just a few months later, on March 23, 2024, the all-rounder cricketer took a u-turn on his decision to retire from international cricket after getting assurance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about a spot in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Imad Wasim had returned to international cricket earlier this year after his retirement last year
In his three appearances in the tournament, from which Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage, Imad scored just 19 runs in two innings at a strike-rate of 65.52, apart from taking three wickets at an average of 14.67 and an economy of 4.00. The last appearance in international cricket for Imad Wasim came against Ireland in Fort Lauderdale on June 16, 2024, which Pakistan managed to win, to end their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign on a high.
After a few months on the sidelines, Imad Wasim took to his official X account, to surprise his fans by announcing his retirement from international cricket once again. He was quoted as saying, “To all fans & supporters: After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket. Representing Pakistan on the world stage has been the greatest honor of my life, and every moment wearing the green jersey has been unforgettable.”
“Your unwavering support, love, and passion have always been my biggest strength. From the highs to the lows, your encouragement has pushed me to give my best for our beloved country. While this chapter comes to an end, I look forward to continuing my journey in cricket through domestic and franchise cricket, and I hope to keep entertaining you all in new ways. Thank you for everything. Pakistan”, Imad Wasim concluded his statement about retiring from international cricket.
