KARACHI: There was a change in schedule on what was meant to be a regular pre-match day here at the National Stadium on Friday, on the eve of the third Test between Pakistan and England.

Of all people, it was Azhar Ali who appeared at the day’s first press conference. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s media manager said the veteran needed to “make a statement”.

It wasn’t hard to guess what was about to come from Azhar then. The long-serving Pakistan batter still gave a disclaimer.

“Obviously, it can get a bit emotional,” Azhar said after a deep sigh, before announcing that the Karachi Test — his 97th if he plays — will be his final appearance as an international cricketer.

“Every youngster yearns to play for the national side and for me it was an honour to represent Pakistan in the Test and one-day formats and then to lead the team in both formats,” said Azhar, as he held onto his tears.

“I cannot be grateful enough to God for giving me this opportunity, but everything has an end, just like it has a start.

“I think it was a good time [to retire] on a good note,” added the 37-year-old. “I felt it in my heart and mind that it’s just the right time; I’ll be leaving with great memories.”

Since making his Test debut against Australia in England more than 12 years ago, Azhar managed to amass 7,097 runs in 96 Tests at an impressive average of 42.49. His run-scoring record rode on a compact technique and immense patience at the crease.

His One-day International career was relatively short. In 53 innings, Azhar scored 1,845 runs at 36.90.

While his overall numbers prove he established himself as one of the finest batters of his era — Pakistan’s fifth leading Test run-getter behind Younis Khan, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf — his retirement comes at a time when he was struggling to hold on to his place in the national side.

Since November 2021, Azhar played seven Tests, scoring 456 runs at 41.45, the major chunk of which came against Australia, when he smashed 185 on a placid Rawalpindi pitch in March.

He was dropped from the second Test against Sri Lanka in July and from the recently concluded second Test against England in Multan — before which Pakistan captain Babar Azam had said that Azhar “had to make a decision for himself”.

“I’d like to thank my coaches, my contemporaries, my colleagues,” Azhar said. “I don’t think I’ve seen a better bunch of [Pakistan players].

Azhar said he aimed at completing a century of Test matches but things couldn’t go his way. He had no regrets whatsoever.

“I had decided this would be last season before it started and it’s true that I wanted to complete 100 Tests and that would have been possible had a I played the full season.

“But I’m glad youngsters are coming in and I hope they go on to do well.”

After making his debut at Lord’s as a 25-year-old, Azhar went on score 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries.

He is the only Pakistan batter to score a triple-century in a pink-ball Test — a feat that he achieved against the West Indies at Dubai in 2016. That unbeaten 302 remains his highest score in Test cricket.

“Hitting that 300 is a huge memory for me out of many unforgettable moments,” observed Azhar. “Although I don’t consider that my best innings, a 300 is a 300.”

Over the course of his 12-year career, Azhar also made two double-centuries — 226 against Bangladesh in Dhaka (May 2015) and 205 not out against Australia in Melbourne (December 2016).

Azhar scored a century in each innings (109 and 100 not out) against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014 to help Pakistan win the second Test by 356 runs and two-Test series 2-0. The Lahore-born batter captained Pakistan in nine Tests in two separate tenures from 2016 till 2020.

The former Pakistan skipper made his international debut a year after the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by armed assailants outside the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The incident would go on to deprive Pakistan of hosting full-fledged international cricket for almost a decade.

Pakistan played their first Test after the Lahore attack in 2019 — against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi before the home calendar gradually got busier, thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government’s efforts in improving the security situation to convince top international sides that it was a safe place to play the sport.

This year was stellar for the Pakistan as it hosted the likes of Australia and England for Tests and white-ball games. West Indies also visited for ODIs and T20s. Pakistan are also looking forward to welcoming New Zealand for an all-format tour over two legs from this month to April next year.

The struggles meant Azhar played only nine of his 96 Tests at home, and feels lucky to have managed that.

“I genuinely thought a few years back that I won’t be able to play a Test match at home,” remarked Azhar. “But credit to the cricket board, the government of Pakistan and all the security agencies for making other teams believe that it’s safe to play in Pakistan.

“Also, thanks to other teams who have came [here] to play.”

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2022