Anwar Ali announces retirement from first class cricket

Pakistan fast pacer Anwar Ali has announced retirement from first-class cricket on Saturday.

Anwar who will turn 34 on the 25th of this month, says he will now fully focus on white-ball cricket.

While talking to a news outlet, Anwar said that he has made his mind following the third round of the Quaid e Azam Trophy and conveyed his decision to the team management.

“I think the time has come to vacate the place for some youngster to excel in first-class cricket. There are many knocking on the doors for an opportunity in Sindh’s first XI side. I believe it is important to give them an opportunity,” the Karachi-based all-rounder said.

Anwar also refuted reports that the decision was due to a clash with Abu Dhabi T10 Leagues.

“My retirement has nothing to do with my contracts with leagues. This is not the first time, I’ve been playing both – leagues and domestic cricket, there was no change in my mindset regarding that. I was thinking about it for the last few days,” he said.

“I am fully available for white-ball cricket, I will be playing the Pakistan Cup one-day tournament as well. It is just a break for my red-ball career because there’s always a time when something has to end, so this is the end of my first-class career,” he said.

“Although I am fully fit and bowling with full rhythm, I know what my body needs. So, I took this decision in the better interest of my team and youngsters who were waiting for opportunities,” Anwar said.

Anwar made his first-class debut in 2007 and has played 108 first-class matches, taking 349 wickets.

He has also scored a century and 11 half-centuries in his 2,670 first-class career runs.