There has been a buzz in the cricketing circles regarding the potential return of Imad Wasim from his international retirement, sparked by an intriguing conversation between the seasoned all-rounder and Pakistan’s new T20I captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Imad, who retired during Babar Azam’s regime, seems to be contemplating a comeback following a series of standout performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2024).
Shaheen Shah, recently appointed as the T20I captain, faced a challenging initiation as he led Pakistan to a 4-1 defeat against New Zealand in their recent tour. Additionally, his stint with the Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2024 didn’t pan out as expected, with the team managing to secure only one victory out of ten matches. Amidst this backdrop, reports emerged of a purported rift between Imad and Babar, further adding fuel to the speculation regarding Imad’s potential return.
However, Imad’s exceptional performance in the Eliminator 1 and 2 matches of PSL 9 reignited discussions about his comeback. With a stunning display of skill, he clinched three crucial wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate of three in four overs. His early breakthroughs against Saud Shakeel, Khawaja Nafay, and Rilee Rossouw played a pivotal role in Quetta Gladiators’ downfall, earning him the Player of the Match accolade. His batting performance in the second Eliminator also got attention.
Although Imad’s retirement announcement in November 2023 was attributed to frustration over limited opportunities in the national team, his recent resurgence has raised hopes of a potential return to the international arena. In a post-match interview, Imad hinted at the possibility of reversing his decision, revealing that Shaheen Shah had personally approached him to reconsider his retirement.
“I made a name for myself while playing for Pakistan, and if my country needs me, I will be available. If not, I have no issues with that,” Imad expressed to local media, highlighting his willingness to serve the national team once again. He also disclosed that Shaheen had reached out to him regarding his retirement, indicating a potential dialogue on the matter following the conclusion of PSL.
As discussions surrounding Imad’s comeback intensify, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await further developments, curious to see if the talented all-rounder will indeed make a return to don the green jersey and contribute to Pakistan’s cricketing endeavors once again.
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Islamabad United’s Imad Wasim knocks Gladiators out of PSL 2024
