Tag: Imad Wasim

Star Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Saturday, came out of international retirement and declared his availability for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to run from June 2 in the USA and the West Indies.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Imad shared that he reconsidered his retirement after meeting PCB officials and will now be available to serve Pakistan in the T20I format.

“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,” stated Imad.

“I would like to thank the PCB for reposing trust in me and I would give my very best to bring laurels to my country. Pakistan comes first!”

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.

I would like to thank the PCB for reposing trust in me and I…

— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) March 23, 2024

Imad Wasim, who announced his retirement in November 2023, was pushed by cricket pundits and fans to reconsider the decision, citing his remarkable form in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

The all-rounder played a pivotal role in leading Islamabad United to their third PSL title, emerging as their standout player in the knockout matches.

He played a match-winning cameo against Multan Sultans in Islamabad United’s last group-stage fixture, propelling the two-time champions into the PSL 9 Playoffs.

Imad then bamboozled Quetta Gladiators in the Eliminator with magnificent bowling figures of 3/12 before playing a match-winning 59-run knock in the second Eliminator against Peshawar Zalmi.

Imad Wasim then etched his name into the PSL history books when he became the first bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in the tournament’s final.

He followed up his five-fer with an unbeaten 19 off 17 deliveries.

For the unversed, Imad Wasim represented Pakistan in 66 T20Is and scored 486 runs. He also has 65 wickets to his name in the shortest format.

READ: Chairman PCB Naqvi calls for merit in national selection

Following his brilliant performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 final, Islamabad United’s all-rounder Imad Wasim said he is fit and can play for another four to five years.

“I think I’m happy playing cricket, I’m fit and trying to contribute as much as possible. I’ve four-five years of cricket left in me,” Imad said after the match.

Commenting on the enthralling final, Imad stated that the United should have achieved the total an over earlier and lauded Hunain Shah for displaying nerves of steel.

“We should have finished the match one over earlier. Hunain Shah kept his nerves and smashed a boundary on the last ball of the inning.”

Notably, the left-arm spinner had a brilliant outing for the United in the blockbuster final against 2021 champions Multan Sultans, becoming the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the tournament’s final.

At the back of his bowling exploits, the two-time champions United managed to restrict the Sultans on 159/9 in the allotted overs.

Imad Wasim had a dream start to his bowling spell as he removed in-form opener Yasir Khan (6) on the third delivery of his first over.

He was then hit for a six by David Willey (6) but hit back on the next delivery by castling the batter.

He then conceded a mere six runs in his next over before being brought back into the attack by Shadab Khan in the 12th over of the innings.

The left-arm spinner struck straightaway, removing the hard-hitting batter Johnson Charles (4).

Coming back into the attack for his final over, Imad Wasim put Islamabad United in complete control with a ruthless bowling display.

He dismissed Khushdil Shah (11) and Chris Jordan (0) to complete his five-wicket haul before Abbas Afridi got run out in the same over, bringing the Sultans down to 127/9 in 17 overs.

For the unversed, Imad has emerged as one of the key players for the United, showcasing his all-round brilliance in important matches.

He played a match-winning cameo against Multan Sultans in Islamabad United’s last group-stage fixture, propelling the two-time champions into the PSL 9 Playoffs.

Imad then bamboozled Quetta Gladiators in the Eliminator with magnificent bowling figures of 3/12 before playing a match-winning 59-run knock in the second Eliminator against Peshawar Zalmi.

READ: Shadab named player of PSL 9 as United dominate awards

KARACHI: Islamabad United’s left-arm spinner Imad Wasim etched his name into the Pakistan Super League (PSL) history book as he became the first bowler to register a five-wicket haul in the tournament’s final.

The left-arm spinner had a brilliant outing for the United in the blockbuster final against 2021 champions Multan Sultans, registering tremendous figures of 5/23 in his quota of four overs.

At the back of his bowling exploits, the two-time champions United managed to restrict the Sultans on 159/9 in the allotted overs.

Imad Wasim had a dream start to his bowling spell as he removed in-form opener Yasir Khan (6) on the third delivery of his first over.

He was then hit for a six by David Willey (6) but hit back on the next delivery by castling the batter.

He then conceded a mere six runs in his next over before being brought back into the attack by Shadab Khan in the 12th over of the innings.

The left-arm spinner struck straightaway, removing the hard-hitting batter Johnson Charles (4).

Coming back into the attack for his final over, Imad Wasim put Islamabad United in complete control with a ruthless bowling display.

He dismissed Khushdil Shah (11) and Chris Jordan (0) to complete his five-wicket haul before Abbas Afridi got run out in the same over, bringing the Sultans down to 127/9 in 17 overs.

For the unversed, Imad has emerged as one of the key players for the United, showcasing his all-round brilliance in important matches.

He played a match-winning cameo against Multan Sultans in Islamabad United’s last group-stage fixture, propelling the two-time champions into the PSL 9 Playoffs.

Imad then bamboozled Quetta Gladiators in the Eliminator with magnificent bowling figures of 3/12 before playing a match-winning 59-run knock in the second Eliminator against Peshawar Zalmi.

READ: Imad takes five as United curtail Sultans on 159/9 in PSL 9 Final

KARACHI: Imad Wasim’s all-round exploits steered Islamabad United to their third Pakistan Super League title with a thrilling victory over Multan Sultans in the blockbuster PSL 9 final here at National Bank Stadium on Monday.

Set to chase 160 for their third PSL title, Islamabad United had a flying start to the pursuit as their new opening pair of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill scored 20 off the first two overs.

But the duo failed to continue the flying start as Munro fell victim to Khushdil Shah on the first delivery of the fourth over. He made 17 off 13 with the help of four boundaries.

The United then lost two more wickets in quick succession as Salman Ali Agha (10) and Shadab Khan (4) perished after scoring cheaply.

But Guptill remained firm and kept the scoreboard ticking in a crucial fourth-wicket partnership with Azam Khan before a mix-up drew curtains on his tremendous knock.

He remained the top-scorer for the United with a 32-ball 50, peppered with four boundaries and three sixes.

Azam then partnered with Imad Wasim for a brief 19-run partnership, which lasted in the 16th over, courtesy of a brilliant DRS by Mohammad Rizwan off Usama Mir.

He smashed four boundaries and a six on his way to a 22-ball 30.

The United then sustained another massive blow to their pursuit as in-form Haider Ali and Faheem Ashraf walked back in consecutive overs, bringing the equation down to 129/7.

The two-time champions then needed 31 off 17 deliveries with Imad and Naseem Shah at the crease.

The duo batted sensibly and brought the United in touching distance before Mohammad Ali dismissed Naseem Shah with a bumper on the penultimate delivery.

Islamabad United needed one run off the final delivery with Hunain Shah on the strike. The No.10 batter sensibly guided the ball towards the third-man region to steer his team over the line.

For the Sultans, Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah bagged two wickets each while Usama Mir, Mohammad Ali and David Willey struck out a batter apiece.

Opting to bat first, the Sultans managed to register a subpar total on the board in the PSL 9 final despite Usman Khan’s anchoring half-century and Iftikhar Ahmed’s late onslaught.

The Sultans got off to a dismal start to their innings as their young opener Yasir Khan (6) fell victim to Imad Wasim in the second over.

Promoted to bat at No.3, vice-captain David Willey (6) had a brief stay at the crease as he too, fell victim to Imad after hitting the latter for a six.

Following the slump, Usman Khan then joined his skipper Mohammad Rizwan in the middle and the duo launched recovery.

The pair added 53 runs for the third wicket before Rizwan fell victim to his United counterpart Shadab Khan in the 10th over after scoring a run-a-ball 26.

Usman then took reigns of the Sultans’ batting expedition and put together brief partnerships with Johnson Charles and Khushdil Shah before perishing in the 16th over.

He remained the top-scorer for the Sultans with a gutsy 57 off 40 deliveries, laced up with seven boundaries and a six.

His dismissal sparked a lower middle-order collapse, triggered by Imad Wasim’s sensational last over, who returned with tremendous bowling figures of 5/22 in his four overs.

Consequently, the Sultans had been reduced to 127/9 in 17 overs before Iftikhar Ahmed launched a counterattack.

The right-handed batter smashed three boundaries and as many sixes on his way to a blistering 32-run cameo which came off just 20 deliveries.

Besides Imad, skipper Shadab chipped in for the United with the ball in the PSL 9 final, picking up three wickets for 32 runs in his quota of four overs.

READ: Wanindu Hasaranga comes out of Test retirement for Bangladesh Tests

Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan has showered praise on team-mate Imad Wasim and expressed hope that the seasoned all-rounder will consider taking back retirement from international cricket.

Imad Wasim led Islamabad United to back-to-back victories in the playoffs of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 and propelled to the final against Multan Sultans.

The left-handed all-rounder scored an unbeaten 59 off 40 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries to guide Islamabad United to a fighting five-wicket win over Peshawar Zalmi in the Eliminator 2 of PSL 9 yesterday.

Shadab Khan stressed the value Wasim can bring to the national team if he considers reversing his retirement ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

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“In fact, when Imad made the decision, I had also told him that I didn’t want him to leave. Because Pakistan needs players like him,” said Khan during the post-match press conference.

“God willing, if there is a discussion with him, hopefully, he will come back because the World Cup is approaching and the way he is performing and his experience in CPL, Pakistan definitely needs him,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wasim, who stunned the cricket fans in November last year with a shocking retirement from international cricket, has kept the door open for his comeback to international cricket.

“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,” Wasim told local media last week.

READ: Shahid Afridi wants Mohammad Amir to take back international retirement

Islamabad United’s all-rounder Imad Wasim has commented on the possibility of him coming out of retirement in international cricket.

Wasim, who stunned the cricket fans in November last year with a shocking retirement from international cricket, has kept the door open for his comeback to international cricket.

“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,” Wasim told local media.

“Shaheen [Afridi] called me after I retired but I told him that we will talk after PSL,” he added.

Wasim, who made his international debut in 2015, represented Pakistan in 66 T20Is and 55 ODIs before his retirement.

He scored 1,472 runs across formats with the help of six half-centuries and was also part of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.

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Imad Wasim led Islamabad United to a thumping 39-run victory over Quetta Gladiators in Eliminator 1 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9 yesterday.

The victory marked the end of Quetta Gladiators’ PSL 9 campaign while Islamabad United progressed to Eliminator 2 where they will lock horns with Peshawar Zalmi.

The left-arm spinner claimed brilliant bowling figures of 3-19 to bowl the Gladiators for 139 while chasing 175.

“I think what we saw in the last few games, it was spinning, holding a bit, the thing I did well was to bowl really slow, it was gripping and it went well,” Imad said at the post-match ceremony.

“I tried to bowl more slow balls than arm balls and mixed it up…worked for me…we restricted them and took wickets which is the best thing, if you do one of these right, you will win because powerplay is very important,” he added.

READ: Australia’s Matthew Wade announces retirement from red-ball cricket

SYDNEY: Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Tuesday, joined an elusive list of all-rounders as he completed 1000 runs and took fifty wickets in a calendar year in T20s.

Imad Wasim, who is representing Melbourne Stars in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) season 13, could play a 14-run knock in his side’s four-wicket victory over hosts Sydney Stars.

His brief knock was enough to take him past the thousand-run mark in T20s this year, coupled with 50 wickets.

Notably, Imad Wasim became only the fourth player to achieve this feat, joining an elusive list of all-rounders featuring Kieron Pollard (2010), Azhar Mahmood (2012) and Andre Russell (2016).

It is worth mentioning here that Imad was part of one of the biggest trades in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) when he was transferred to Islamabad United after representing Karachi Kings for eight years.

A few days earlier, Imad Wasim left his fans stunned when he announced to retire from international cricket.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Imad Wasim revealed that he was thinking about his future in international cricket before calling time on his eight-year long career.

“In recent days have been doing a lot of thinking about my international career and have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to announce my retirement from international cricket.

“I would like to thank the PCB for all their support over the years it has truly been an honour to represent Pakistan. Each of my 121 appearances across the ODI and T201 formats was a dream come true.

A new beginning pic.twitter.com/dHookYC5vR

— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) November 29, 2023

Imad Wasim extended his well wishes for Pakistan cricket and also thanked his fans for their support.

“It’s an exciting time for Pakistan cricket going forwards with new coaches and leadership incoming. I wish all involved every success and look forward to watching the team excel.

“Thank you to the Pakistan fans for always supporting me with such passion. A final thank you to my family and friends who have been so important in helping me achieve at the highest level.

“Now, [I] look forward to focussing on the next stage of my playing career away from the international stage.

Notably, Imad Wasim, who made his international debut in 2015, represented Pakistan in 66 T20Is and 55 ODIs.

He scored 1,472 runs across formats with the help of six half-centuries.

He was part of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.

His last appearance for Pakistan, however, was in April this year in the home T20I series against New Zealand.

LAHORE: Karachi Kings have let go of their HBL PSL 5 winning captain Imad Wasim, who will don Islamabad United colours in the ninth edition of the tournament, while pace bowler Hasan Ali will join the Kings squad.

Imad Wasim, who was named as the All-Rounder of HBL PSL 8, has been snapped by Islamabad United in the Platinum category in a trade with Hasan Ali (Diamond category).

By virtue of this player trade, Karachi Kings have received Islamabad United’s first-round silver pick in exchange for their second-round silver pick.

Buckle up. The trade market’s open for a wacky ride… 🏎️

🔁 Imad Wasim joins Islamabad United

🔁 Hasan Ali joins Karachi Kings

Are you ready for the 2024 #HBLPSLDraft?#HBLPSL9

Read more here: https://t.co/84X51hG2ux pic.twitter.com/qejugejDXB

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) November 29, 2023

The successful relegation requests from franchisees ahead of the HBL PSL 2024 Player Draft include Lahore Qalandars’ Mirza Tahir Baig, Islamabad United’s Rumman Raees and Karachi Kings’ Mir Hamza (all Gold to Silver).

Quetta Gladiators will make the first pick in the PSL 9 Player Draft. Karachi Kings and two-time champions Islamabad United will have the second and third picks.

The fourth and fifth picks will be done by Peshawar Zalmi and last season’s runners-up Multan Sultans respectively while winners of the past two editions Lahore Qalandars will finish the first round with the sixth pick.

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The selection order for the first round for the Platinum category is determined by the inverse order of the previous season’s standings.

In order to make the Pick Order more equitable, a different franchise shall occupy the first pick in the first round of each category.

The retentions and trades are to be finalized ahead of the PSL 9 Player Draft, which has been tentatively scheduled for mid-December, after the completion of the National T20. The final of the National T20 is set to be played on 10 December in Karachi.

READ: PCB announces team management for Australia tour

LAHORE: The Director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team Mohammad Hafeez revealed that he contacted all-rounder Imad Wasim as well as pace bowler Mohammad Amir and opened up about the details of the discussion.

Mohammad Hafeez, during a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s tour of Australia, disclosed that he contacted Imad Wasim prior to his retirement and told him that he is in the team’s plans for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

“I communicated to Imad Wasim that he was in my plans for Pakistan cricket. He had not signed the central contract by then, although he had been awarded one,” said Hafeez.

“I asked him for his availability [for the New Zealand series] and he said that he would think about it and would let me know. He made himself unavailable for the New Zealand series and then two days later announced his retirement.”

He then acknowledged Imad Wasim’s services for the Pakistan cricket team and wished him well for his future.

“I wish the best for Imad as he has served Pakistan Cricket with utmost integrity.”

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Hafeez then shed light on his conversation with Mohammad Amir, who shocked the cricketing world in 2020 with his sudden retirement at the age of 28.

“I personally called Mohammad Amir and told him that if he wants to play for Pakistan, he is free to take back his retirement and get back in the system,” said the team director.

“If he performs in domestic, he will be considered purely on the basis of merit and will be given equal opportunities like others.”

“However, he [Amir] said that he has moved on in his life and his priorities have changed in life, which we have to respect,” Hafeez concluded.

READ: Glenn Phillips claims four as New Zealand restrict Bangladesh

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Rashid Latif commented on Imad Wasim’s shocking decision to hang his boots from international cricket.

Imad Wasim’s decision to retire from international cricket did not go well with Rashid Latif, who stated that the all-rounder should reverse his decision.

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The former wicketkeeper said the all-rounder is Pakistan’s best spin bowler and a handy batter and also that the country will suffer in next year’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

“Imad Wasim should reconsider his retirement decision. He is Pakistan’s best spinner and can be very helpful in batting as well. If the team’s most effective player isn’t in the World Cup, it’s not just Imad’s loss, it’s Pakistan’s loss,” Rashid wrote.

Rashid Latif emphasized that players who wish to participate in leagues should be released from their central contract, while still remaining available for the national team.

“Mohammad Hafeez should strive to bring Imad back. If leagues need to be played, consider separation from the central contract, but keep yourself available for the Pakistan team,” he concluded by tagging Hafeez and chief selector Wahab Riaz.

For the unversed, Imad Wasim stunned the cricket fans on Friday when he announced to retire from international cricket through a social media post.

“In recent days have been doing a lot of thinking about my international career and have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to announce my retirement from international cricket.

“I would like to thank the PCB for all their support over the years it has truly been an honour to represent Pakistan. Each of my 121 appearances across the ODI and T201 formats was a dream come true.

pic.twitter.com/RdEesK9qsl

— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) November 24, 2023

Imad Wasim extended his well wishes for Pakistan cricket and also thanked his fans for their support.

“It’s an exciting time for Pakistan cricket going forwards with new coaches and leadership incoming. I wish all involved every success and look forward to watching the team excel.

“Thank you to the Pakistan fans for always supporting me with such passion. A final thank you to my family and friends who have been so important in helping me achieve at the highest level.

“Now, [I] look forward to focussing on the next stage of my playing career away from the international stage.

Notably, Imad Wasim, who made his international debut in 2015, represented Pakistan in 66 T20Is and 55 ODIs.

He scored 1,472 runs across formats with the help of six half-centuries.

He was part of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.

His last appearance for Pakistan, however, was in April this year in the home T20I series against New Zealand.

READ: Shan Masood hits ton on Day one of scenario-based practice match