Azhar Ali retires from One-Day Internationals

Pakistan cricketer Azhar Ali has decided to call it a day from the ODI format of the game with immediate effect. He hasn’t been considered to play since the New Zealand tour earlier this year where he couldn’t muster many runs. Also, with the emergence of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq at the top of the order, has left no room for the experienced cricketer to make a comeback in Pakistan colours.

Azhar made his ODI debut in May 2011 against Ireland and went on to represent his country in 53 matches scoring 1845 runs at an average of 36.90. He was also handed over the captaincy surprisingly post the 2015 World Cup when Misbah-ul-Haq. But Pakistan lost their way completely under his leadership before Azhar was told to resign and he reigns were taken over by Sarfraz Ahmed.

According to Express News, Azhar Ali has decided to hang his boots from the 50-over format in order to give more chances to the youngsters.

Azhar’s strike-rate an issue?

Azhar Ali, after being dropped from the team, was never in the frame to make a comeback as Pakistan started to build a team for the World Cup. The way, they have been playing at the moment, the Men in Green might not require his services in the format which the cricketer must’ve realised. Azhar’s strike-rate was always an issue in the modern-day game.

He ends his ODI career with a mediocre strike-rate of 74.45 and clearly, it is underwhelming given the way high scores are being racked in the format at the moment. His game is preferred at the top-order and the team looks determined now to go ahead with Imam and Fakhar along with Mohammad Hafeez back into the contention. Having said that, the veteran remains a vital cog of the Test side and will look to extend his career in the whites now.

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