Pakistani star batter Asif Ali has officially announced his retirement from international cricket.
Asif announced his decision in a social media post, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent Pakistan.
“Today, I announce my retirement from international cricket. Alhamdulillah, wearing the Pakistan jersey has been the greatest honour of my life and serving my country on the cricket field has been my proudest chapter,” he wrote.
— Asif Ali (@AasifAli45) September 1, 2025
Thanking those who supported him throughout his journey, Asif added, “To my fans, teammates, and coaches, thank you for your love, belief, and support through every high and low. To my family and friends, who stood with me in moments of joy and in the deepest of trials, including the loss of my beloved daughter during the World Cup, your strength carried me forward.”
“I retire with immense gratitude, and InshaAllah will continue to share my passion for the game by playing domestic and league cricket worldwide. Pakistan Zindabad,” he added.
Asif Ali was known for his explosive hitting in the lower order and his ability to finish matches.
His most memorable performance came during the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup against Afghanistan, where he smashed 25 not out off just seven balls, including four sixes in a single over to seal victory for Pakistan. This innings remains one of the most iconic moments of his career and showcased his finishing skills under pressure. Earlier in the same tournament, he also played a crucial knock against New Zealand, scoring 27 off 12 balls with three massive sixes, which helped Pakistan secure another important win.
Asif Ali made his T20 International debut for Pakistan on April 1, 2018, against West Indies, and just a few months later, he made his One-Day International debut on July 13, 2018, against Zimbabwe. He was considered a power-hitter and a valuable asset for Pakistan in limited-overs cricket. However, despite occasional match-winning performances, consistency remained a challenge in his career.
He played his last ODI for Pakistan on April 2, 2022, against Australia. His final T20I appearance came on October 7, 2023, against Bangladesh during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. After that, he fell out of favor with selectors due to inconsistent performances and the emergence of younger players, which limited his chances in the national team setup.
In total, Asif Ali represented Pakistan in 21 ODIs and 58 T20Is, scoring 382 runs in ODIs at an average of 25 and 577 runs in T20Is at an average of 15.