Huge blow for WI, Pakistan star announces ODI retirement and more - Cricket News Today, 1st November 2018

Azhar Ali announces ODI retirement

Azhar Ali is keen to focus on Tests

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali announced his retirement from ODIs in a bid to prolong his career in the longest format of the game. The 33-year-old admitted that while he will continue to play all three formats in domestic cricket, he believes that the time is right for him to call time on his white ball career.

"I haven't made this decision abruptly. I've thought it through. I think this is the right time to make this decision. I want to focus on one format and invest my all energies in it," he said in a press conference.

"I have not taken this decision with any hard feelings. This is my personal decision and I have taken it for the betterment of my career. I have taken this decision to improve my record in Test cricket. My career in that format is my identity."

Although he made his ODI debut in 2011, he featured in only 53 ODIs, the last of which came against New Zealand earlier this year. He scored nearly 2,000 runs at an average of 36.90 and was part of Pakistan's successful Champions Trophy campaign in 2017.

"This is happening in a very good manner. My wish has been accommodated and everyone listened to me. Everybody's desire is to feature in World Cup. But, I think the time is right as the World Cup is around the corner. The team that is playing should have confidence and the players who are playing ODI cricket should be given a good run before the World Cup."