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Veteran Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah has suggested that his cricket career may be nearing its conclusion.
He indicated that he is considering retirement following discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
In an exclusive conversation with ARY News, the 39-year-old confirmed that he has opted out of domestic cricket this season, signalling that a formal decision on his future could be imminent.
“I am not playing domestic cricket this year. God willing, I will finalise my decision after meeting with the PCB,” Yasir stated.
One of Pakistan’s most successful Test bowlers of the modern era, Yasir represented the country in 48 Tests, claiming 244 wickets at an average of 31.38.
His dominance in UAE conditions, where Pakistan played their home Tests for nearly a decade, was particularly remarkable, as he bagged 116 wickets there at an impressive average of 24.56.
Yasir Shah also holds the illustrious record of being the fastest bowler to reach 200 Test wickets, a mark he achieved in just 33 matches.
Reflecting on the current national side, the seasoned spinner expressed satisfaction with the team’s recent performances.
“The Pakistan team is doing well. They have won their last two T20 matches. Our prayers are always with them,” he said.
When asked about Mohammad Rizwan’s recent removal from the ODI captaincy and earlier exclusion from the T20 squad, Yasir responded with composure and empathy, drawing parallels to his own experiences of being dropped despite consistent performances.
“Our effort as players is always to perform for Pakistan. Rizwan is doing that as well. Whichever player the selectors choose as captain, the entire team supports him,” he remarked.
The veteran also addressed his own absence from the national setup, suggesting that his exclusion was not performance-related.
“Sometimes these things happen. My performances were good. Earlier, I had a knee injury, and they assumed it had returned. I told them that if fitness was the issue, they should conduct a fitness test. But no such reason was officially given,” Yasir Shah explained.
While his Test legacy remains undisputed, Yasir’s white-ball record was modest. He featured in 25 ODIs, taking 24 wickets at an average of 47.91, including one five-wicket haul, and appeared in two T20Is without success.
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