Imad Wasim withdraws retirement in lead up to T20 World Cup

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Saturday announced withdrawing retirement in lead up to the ICC T20I World Cup 2024, as he announced his availability for Twenty20 format. 

The seasoned cricketer said that he has reconsidered his retirement plans after meeting after a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials.

"I am happy to announce that pursuant to meeting PCB officials, I have reconsidered my retirement and am delighted to declare my availability for Pakistan cricket in T20i format leading up to ICC T20i World Cup 2024," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

Imad thanked PCB for "reposing trust" in him, and pledged to give my very best to bring laurels to my country.

Pakistan comes first, he added.

The 34-year-old cricketer last year in November announced his retirement from international cricket, saying it was the right time for him to end his stint as an international cricketer.

“In recent days I have been doing a lot of thinking about my international career and I have come to the conclusion that now it’s the right time for me to announce my retirement from international cricket," he had stated in a post on X.

“It has truly been an honour to represent Pakistan. Each of my 121 appearances across the ODI and T20I formats was a dream come true,” Wasim noted.

The cricketer had said that he would look forward to focussing on the "next stage of my playing career away from the international stage.”

Imad, who made his international debut in May 2015, had emerged as a prominent cricketer due to his all-round performances

The left-handed middle-order batsman and a quality left-arm spinner, Imad has played 55 one-day internationals and 66 Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan.

He scored 986 runs in ODIs and 486 in T20Is. His tally of wickets was 44 in ODIs and 65 in the shorter format.