Cricket fans across Pakistan were left emotional as middle-order batter Asif Ali, known for his explosive hitting, announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33.
Asif represented Pakistan in 55 T20Is and 21 ODIs, scoring more than 1,300 runs across formats. His tally of 70 sixes earned him a reputation as one of the team’s best finishers in pressure games.
His most memorable performance came during the 2018 Asia Cup, where he scored a match-winning 36-ball 64, and in the 2021 T20 World Cup, when he hit four sixes in a single over against Afghanistan.
Fans and former cricketers paid tribute on social media, hailing his contribution to Pakistan’s white-ball cricket. Analysts say his absence will create a void in the lower-middle order, where Pakistan still struggles to find consistent finishers.
