(UTV|COLOMBO) – Azhar Ali has decided to not turn out for Pakistan in white-ball cricket in order to prolong his international career. In a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium, the 33-year-old said: “I haven’t made this decision abruptly. I’ve thought it through. I think this is the right time to make this decision. I want to focus on one format and invest my all energies in it.”
Azhar made his ODI debut in the second of the two-match series against Ireland in 2011. He last turned out for Pakistan in colour clothing earlier this year in New Zealand. Throughout the course of his career, that lasted 53 matches, the top-order batsman scored 1,845 runs at an average of 36.90. He hit purple patch during Pakistan’s successful ICC Champions Trophy campaign, scoring three fifties – two against India, the last in the final, and one against England. He scored 228 runs – second most for Pakistan behind Fakhar Zaman at 45.60.
“The Champions Trophy win,” Azhar exclaimed, when asked to point out the most memorable moment of his ODI career. “Whenever I will be asked this question, this will be my answer. It is always important to be a part of a winning team. It was a great honour to captain Pakistan. But the way in which we won the Champions Trophy and how the fans celebrated our win, those memories will always be with me.”
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