Asad Shafiq (X.com)
Asad Shafiq (X.com)Asad Shafiq, the 38-year-old Pakistani veteran, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last weekend. Shafiq said in an official statement that the decline in his passion for sports and the physical fitness needed to stay relevant in international cricket prompted him to stop playing.
“I don’t feel the same excitement and passion while playing cricket, nor do I have the same fitness levels required to play international cricket. That’s why I’ve decided to say goodbye to all cricketers. Asad Shafiq said in a press conference.
The veteran later explained that he was not under pressure from anyone and wanted to step down voluntarily.
However, Shafiq could be seen in a new role very soon as he made a startling revelation during a press conference. The former batsman revealed that he was offered a role in the PCB-appointed selection committee for the first team led by Wahab Riaz.
Not only has Asad Shafiq accepted the offer, but the appointment could soon become official once the vetting process is over. He says the new role sounds exciting, and he is committed to giving his best.
“I have received the contract from the board and I am studying it, and it will be processed soon.” he added.
Asad Shafiq: The backbone of the then Pakistani side
The PCB’s interest in Shafiq is understandable. The veteran batsman played a crucial role in rebuilding Pakistan cricket after the famous fixing scandal in 2010, which led to a complete collapse of the cricketing structure in the country.
Asad Shafiq, along with Azhar Ali, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, were a force to be reckoned with in whitewashing the image of Pakistani cricket.
Asad, specifically, remained the backbone of the Test side from 2010 to 2020. He scored 4,660 runs in 77 white-ball matches at an average of 38.19 while hitting 12 hundreds and 27 half-centuries. In addition to this, he also appeared in 60 ODIs and 10 T20s.
However, due to the influx of youth and a slight dip in form, the team regressed in 2020. However, Shafiq continued his career in domestic cricket with the hope of making a comeback. But eventually, the opportunity came to him as the veteran was struggling to keep up with the pace of modern-day international cricket.