Pakistan cricket bids farewell to Asad Shafiq

Veteran Pakistani batsman Asad Shafiq announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after leading Karachi Whites to the National T20 Championship title. Shafiq's international career spanned 77 Tests, 60 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, hammering 4660 runs in Tests with 12 centuries. He was instrumental in Pakistan's climb to the top of the ICC Test rankings in 2016.

Thank you for your services on the cricket field, @asadshafiq1986 👏 pic.twitter.com/x5f6183EXu

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 11, 2023

"I am no longer feeling the same excitement and passion playing cricket," Shafiq confirmed in a post-match press conference, "neither do I have the same fitness levels required for international cricket."

Rewinding Shafiq's carrier

Despite a slump in 2018-19 leading to his exclusion from the national team, Shafiq continued playing domestic cricket with aspirations of an international return.

A tribute to Pakistan's Test Player No. 204 Asad Shafiq, who holds the record for most Test 💯s batting at number six. Thank you for the memories! pic.twitter.com/gzOkJ6LoZl

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 11, 2023

"After being dropped in 2020, I kept playing domestically for three years hoping for another chance," Shafiq stated, "before the season began, I decided this would be my last. At 38, it's time to retire instead of waiting for others to tell me to step down."

Shafiq was a crucial member of Misbah-ul-Haq's Test team that achieved No. 1 ranking. He holds the record for most centuries at No. 6 in Tests.