Agency :
Azhar Ali will not turn out for Pakistan in white-ball cricket. In a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the 33-year-old announced his decision to retire from ODI cricket to provide young batsmen opportunities.
Azhar last turned out for Pakistan in coloured clothing earlier this year in New Zealand. He proved to be a vital cog for Pakistan in their ICC Champions Trophy triumph last year scoring 228 runs – second most for Pakistan behind Fakhar Zaman — at 45.60.
Azhar made his ODI debut in the second of the two-match series against Ireland at one-drop position in 2011. Throughout the course of his career that lasted 53 matches, the top-order batsman scored 1845 runs at an average of 36.90.
Azhar made several returns for Pakistan in ODI cricket, the first being for his second match. He stayed with the one-day side from February 2012 till early January 2013 before marking another return, this time as a captain, after the 2015 World Cup.
