Asad Shafiq The middle-order batsman from Pakistan revealed his decision after guiding Karachi Whites to victory in the National T20 Cup on Sunday (December 10). The 37-year-old, who last played international cricket in 2020, cited a lack of motivation and the necessary fitness levels for his decision. After the press conference following the National T20 Cup triumph, Shafiq disclosed his retirement decision.
Asad Shafiq stated, “I am not feeling the same enthusiasm and passion for playing cricket, and I don’t have the required fitness level for international cricket. That’s why I have decided to bid farewell to all forms of cricket.”
Having made his debut in all three formats of international cricket in 2010, Shafiq represented Pakistan in 77 Tests, 60 ODIs, and 10 T20Is. Although his return to white-ball cricket wasn’t as successful, Shafiq shone in Test cricket, establishing himself as one of Pakistan’s most reliable batsmen in all conditions. The period from 2014 to 2016 marked a peak for Shafiq as a Test batsman, accumulating close to 2000 runs in three calendar years, including six centuries in his twelve centuries during that period.
Due to a dip in form during the 2018-19 season, Shafiq found himself out of contention in 2020, and he was never selected again. Reflecting on his career, Asad Shafiq said, “After being sidelined in 2020, I continued playing domestic cricket for three more years in the hope of earning another chance with the Pakistan team. But before the start of this season, I decided that this would be my final season because I felt it was time to retire at the age of 38, rather than waiting for people to ask me to step down.”
Recognized for his clean image off the field and straightforward personality, Shafiq played a crucial role in rebuilding the integrity of Pakistan cricket after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010. He was one of the key contributors to the revival mission led by Misbah-ul-Haq, along with Azhar Ali and Younis Khan.
Shafiq expressed, “It was a challenging time for Pakistan cricket after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010, and I am proud to have been part of the process where we regained the trust of people in our team.”
While Shafiq’s innings in cricket have concluded, he is now preparing for a new chapter, possibly in a role related to the selection committee. He stated, “I have received an offer from the board, and I am considering it. I hope there will be action on it soon.”