Tag: Imad Wasim

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Friday, left his fans stunned as he announced his retirement 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.

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: Chief selector Wahab Riaz visits Pakistan training camp

All-rounder Imad Wasim revealed that his first move after becoming Pakistan captain would be to bring left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir out of retirement.

Imad Wasim, who has scored 1,472 runs and bagged 109 wickets for Pakistan, appeared in a private channel’s show and gave his views on Pakistan Cricket.

During the program, the host asked him if he would call pacer Mohammad Amir if he returned to the side and made the frontman.

Imad Wasim said Mohammad Amir would be the first person he would contact.

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It is pertinent to mention that a section of Pakistan Cricket Team fans were calling for the duo’s selection in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 squad on the back of their impressive performances in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League 2023.

Imad Wasim was the third-highest run-getter in the tournament with 313 runs from 11 matches with two half-centuries. The left-arm spinner bagged 14 wickets as well.

Mohammad Amir, on the other hand, finished as the third-highest wicket-taker with 16 scalps.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Earlier, the Chief Selector of the Pakistan Cricket Team Inzamam-ul-Haq said Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim would be selected for the national team if they play first-class cricket.

“The doors of the Pakistan team are open for everyone, be it Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir or even Shan Masood, they are all good players and have performed for Pakistan,” said Inzamam-ul-Haq.

“However, the criteria for selection is our domestic cricket, whoever wants to get selected needs to perform in domestic cricket to be in contention,” he further added.

“Mohammad Amir is a good cricketer but he is currently retired, but just like everyone else, doors are open for him,” he concluded.

READ: PCB provides update on Mohammad Hasnain’s recovery

LAHORE: Chief Selector of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team Inzamam-ul-Haq on Friday, clarified that Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir can be considered for selection when needed for the team.

Inzamam-ul-Haq announced announced a 15-member Pakistan squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India with the only major change being pace bowler Hasan Ali replacing injured Naseem Shah.

While many fans hoped to see Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir in the touring party for the World Cup, Inzamam-ul-Haq stated the clear criteria for selection.

“The doors of the Pakistan team are open for everyone, be it Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir or even Shan Masood, they are all good players and have performed for Pakistan,” said Inzamam-ul-Haq.

“However, the criteria for selection is our domestic cricket, whoever wants to get selected needs to perform in domestic cricket to be in contention,” he further added.

“Mohammad Amir is a good cricketer but he is currently retired, but just like everyone else, doors are open for him,” he concluded.

The 15-member Pakistan team will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Prior to that, they will play two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia on September 29 and October 3 respectively.

Pakistan ICC World Cup 2023 squad

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling Reserves: Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed

READ: Inzamam-ul-Haq opens up on Hasan Ali selection in ICC World Cup 2023 squad

Pakistan international Imad Wasim backed his economical figures of 1/19 with an unbeaten 43 and propelled Seattle Orcas to taste their maiden victory in the Major League Cricket (MLC).

Seattle Orcas started their MLC campaign with a close five-wicket victory over Washington Freedom with two balls to spare, courtesy of a dominant all-round show by Imad Wasim.

Set to chase 146, the Orcas notched up 148/5 with just two balls to spare.

The Orcas got off to an unwanted start to the pursuit as the side lost wickets at regular intervals and were 43/3 in the eighth over when Imad Wasim walked out.

The left-handed batter soon stitched a much-needed partnership for Orcas with opener Nauman Anwar, who stood his ground firm despite losing three partners at the other end.

The pair added 53 runs to the total before Anwar fell just two runs short of his maiden MLC half-century as Dane Piedt castled him in the 14th over.

Anwar remained the top-scorer for the Orcas with a gutsy 48 from 37 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and three sixes.

Imad Wasim then changed gears at the backend and was brilliantly supported by Shimron Hetmyer, who played an important 23-run knock before falling in the final over.

Orcas found themselves in a state of bother with Hetmyer’s dismissal on the second delivery of the final over when they still needed five runs to claim the maiden victory.

Marco Jansen, however, struck two back-to-back boundaries and sealed a narrow victory for the Orcas.

Click to watch MLC Live on ARY ZAP

Imad Wasim remained unbeaten with 43 off 38 deliveries, laced up with three boundaries and a six.

Put into bat first, Washington Freedom’s batting lineup struggled against Orcas’ bowling attack and could only accumulate 144/7 in their quota of 20 overs.

Lower-order batter Akeal Hosein remained the top-scorer for the Freedom with a quickfire 22-ball 33 while opener Andries Gous (28) was the other notable run-getter.

Wayne Parnell and Harmeet Singh led the bowling attack for the Orcas with two wickets each, while Imad Wasim, Andrew Tye and Cameron Gannon made one scalp each.

In the second match of the ongoing MLC, San Francisco Unicorns handed a 22-run thumping to MI New York after Corey Anderson’s blitz.

The all-rounder smashed 91 off 52 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and seven sixes.

Shadab Khan, on the other hand, was even more ruthless with the bat as he played a blistering 61-run knock in 30 balls and smashed four boundaries and five sixes.

Set to chase a daunting 216-run total, MI New York could score 193/5 in 20 overs despite Tim David’s quickfire half-century.

Shadab Khan followed up his brisk half-century with a crucial wicket of Dewald Brevis.

READ: Djokovic, Alcaraz on brink of blockbuster Wimbledon title showdown

TAUNTON: Pakistan international Imad Wasim’s all-round exploits in the quarter-final of the ongoing T20 Blast 2023 went in vain as his side Nottinghamshire crashed out.

Imad Wasim lit up the third quarter-final of the T20 Blast between Nottinghamshire and Somerset with his all-round exploits, scoring an unbeaten 31 before following it up with two wickets.

Nottinghamshire, after opting to bat first, were reeling at 108/6 in 16 overs when Imad Wasim came to bat.

The left-handed batter baton charged Somerset bowlers with belligerent hitting and bolstered his side’s total at the backend.

He smashed two boundaries and a six on his way to an unbeaten 31 and faced just 15 deliveries.

His quickfire cameo lifted Nottinghamshire to finish at 157/6 in the allotted 20 overs.

Set to defend 158 to book their spot in the semi-final of the extravaganza, Nottinghamshire got off to a perfect start to the defence courtesy of a magnificent second over by Imad Wasim.

The left-arm spinner dominated Somerset batters in his first over of the spell and removed hard-hitting batters Tom Banton and Tom Kohler Cadmore and did not concede a run.

Imad Wasim, however, could not imitate the magic in his remaining overs and returned with decent figures of 2/33 in his four overs.

Despite his all-round performance, Nottinghamshire succumbed to a narrow five-wicket defeat against Somerset and crashed out of the title race.

Nottinghamshire had Somerset struggling at 62/5 in the 10th over but could not contain the former champions.

Somerset captain Lewis Gregory played a pivotal role in his side’s triumph by scoring a brilliant half-century in the crucial run chase.

He scored an unbeaten 57 off just 34 deliveries with the help of one boundary and five sixes.

Ben Green also supported Gregory well with his unbeaten 35 and put on a match-winning 96-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Nottinghamshire’s defeat marked the end of Imad Wasim’s T20 Blast stint.

READ: Stokes and Moeen revive England’s Ashes bid

The upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023 will feature three Pakistan players Azam Khan, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir.

The players’ draft for the upcoming 11th edition of the CPL took place on Friday, June 30.

Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir and his Karachi Kings’ teammate and captain Imad Wasim, who represented Jamaica Tallawhs in the previous edition of the league will reunite again for the defending champions.

Meanwhile, Azam Khan, who represented Barbados Royals in the last edition, will represent Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Warriors roped in Azam Khan for a $120,000 deal, making him the highest-paid Pakistan cricketer in the league.

The upcoming CPL edition will run from August 16 to September 24 in Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

Complete CPL 2023 schedule

August 16: St Lucia Kings v Jamaica Tallawahs (St Lucia, 7pm)

August 17: St Lucia Kings v Barbados Royals (St Lucia, 7pm)

August 19: Trinbago Knight Riders v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (St Lucia, 10am); St Lucia Kings v Guyana Amazon Warriors (St Lucia, 7pm)

August 20: Jamaica Tallawahs v Barbados Royals (St Lucia, 10am); St Lucia Kings v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (St Lucia, 7pm)

August 23: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Jamaica Tallawahs (St Kitts 7pm)

August 24: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Guyana Amazon Warriors (St Kitts, 7pm)

August 26: St Lucia Kings v Trinbago Knight Riders (St Kitts, 10am); St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Royals (St Kitts, 7pm)

August 27: Jamaica Tallawahs v Guyana Amazon Warriors (St Kitts, 10am); St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (St Kitts, 7pm)

August 30: Barbados Royals v Trinbago Knight Riders (Barbados, 7pm)

August 31: Barbados Royals v Jamaica Tallawahs (Barbados, 7pm)

September 2: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (Barbados, 10am); Barbados Royals v St Lucia Kings (Barbados, 8pm)

September 3: Jamaica Tallawahs v Trinbago Knight Riders (Barbados, 10am); Barbados Royals v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (Barbados, 8pm)

September 5: Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors (Trinidad, 7pm)

September 6: Trinbago Knight Riders v Barbados Royals (Trinidad, 7pm)

September 9: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v St Lucia Kings (Trinidad, 10am); Trinbago Knight Riders v Jamaica Tallawahs (Trinidad, 8pm)

September 10: Barbados Royals v Guyana Amazon Warriors (Trinidad, 10am); Trinbago Knight Riders v St Lucia Kings (Trinidad, 8pm)

September 13: Guyana Amazon Warriors v Jamaica Tallawahs (Guyana, 7pm)

September 14: Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Lucia Kings (Guyana, 7pm)

September 16: Jamaica Tallawahs v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (Guyana, 10am); Guyana Amazon Warriors v Trinbago Knight Riders (Guyana, 7pm)

September 17: Jamaica Tallawahs v St Lucia Kings (Guyana, 10am); Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Royals (Guyana, 7pm)

September 19: Eliminator – 3rd v 4th (Guyana, 7pm)

September 20: Qualifier 1 – 1st v 2nd (Guyana, 7pm)

September 22: Qualifier 2 – Winner Eliminator v Loser Qualifier 1 (Guyana, 7pm)

September 24: Final (Guyana, 7pm)

All times are local (BST-5)

READ: New Zealand spinner Eden Carson bowls 11 overs in Women’s ODI

Nottinghamshire Outlaws on Wednesday signed Pakistan international all-rounder Imad Wasim for a brief two-match T20 Blast stint.

Imad Wasim, who previously represented the Outlaws in the 2019 and 2020 editions of the T20 Blast, will join fellow national pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi at the club.

According to the Outlaws, Imad will be available for the last two T20 Blast group fixtures and will provide a cover for Colin Munro and Samit Patel, who have been ruled out for at least the remaining two group-stage matches due to injury.

His further participation in the ongoing T20 Blast however depends on Outlaws’ qualification to the quarterfinals and the availability of Munro and Patel.

Notably, Imad Wasim was part of the Nottinghamshire Outlaws side which won the T20 Blast title in 2020.

“We’re delighted to welcome Imad back, particularly with the memories we have with him lifting the trophy at Edgbaston three years ago,” Peter Moores said.

“It helps that he’s been with us before. He knows how we operate and vice versa, and he has experience at the highest level which helps in big games. He can bowl across different periods of the game and is a strong middle-order batter.

“Both Colin and Samit are excellent players who have shown their class across the tournament this year, and we’ll miss what they bring to the side.

“However, we believe that by exercising the opportunity to recruit an overseas player of Imad’s quality, we can retain the balance of our side and continue to push for success.

“We have two big games at Trent Bridge with qualification in our own hands and an opportunity to still gain a home draw depending how other results go.

“The key will be to look no further than the game on Friday against the Bears as our first opportunity to qualify for the latter stages of the tournament.”

Imad Wasim has taken 18 wickets for Nottinghamshire Outlaws in 16 games during the course of his first two stints with the club at an economy of less than seven.

READ: Lebanon storms into SAFF Championship semis at Maldive’s disposal

RAWALPINDI: All-rounder Imad Wasim stirred social media after his sensational opening spell in the rain-abandoned fourth match of the PAK vs NZ T20I series at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. 

Imad gave Pakistan a colourful start in the match when he picked up three wickets to contain New Zealand at 54/3 in the seventh over.

Before the hailstorm interrupted the play in the 19th over of the first innings, the Blackcaps had accumulated 164 for the loss of five wickets thanks to Chad Bowes’ brilliant 38-ball 54 under pressure.

Though the Green Shirts and its fans would not be happy with the way the game had concluded, Imad headlined for his stunning figures of 3 for 19 in four overs.

The all-rounder, who forced his return to the national T20I side last month following his exploits during this year’s Pakistan Super League, had been unexpectedly snubbed from the team after the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Ever since he earned a recall, he has been performing consistently to solidify his position in the team.

His tremendous effort with the ball last night was appreciated by the cricket fans who took to Twitter to praise the left-arm spinner.

Imad Wasim strikes twice in the Powerplay 👌#PAKvNZ | 📝 https://t.co/keoQqd0lk9 pic.twitter.com/tEI9juBm84

— ICC (@ICC) April 20, 2023

All smiles – Imad Wasim and Babar Azam #PakvNZ #Cricket pic.twitter.com/hA40l4SszG

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) April 20, 2023

Excellent spell from Imad Wasim today vs NZ !!

4-0-19-3 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/71kbnMlbcJ

— TEAM AFRIDI (@TEAM_AFRIDI) April 20, 2023

https://twitter.com/Binte__Khalid/status/1649098015825690624

https://twitter.com/AkhtarActivist/status/1649091342222651392

https://twitter.com/Crickettalkss/status/1649097585586765827

It is pertinent to mention here that the hosts Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-1 and will now be setting their sights on the final match to complete the series triumph.

LAHORE: All-rounder Imad Wasim heaped praise on captain Babar Azam after the latter smashed a phenomenal ton during Pakistan’s 38-run victory in the second T20 international against New Zealand on Saturday in Lahore.

Babar scored 101 runs from 58 balls, marking his third century in the shortest format, to help his side take a 2-0 lead in the five-game series.

In a post-match interview with Babar Azam, Imad called the right-hander ‘the best player in the world’ right now.

“I have seen many innings but this was at the top of the line in my opinion, especially the way he [Babar] carried on after we lost three wickets. The wicket was holding as well. But the way he played was simply brilliant.” he said,

“There’s no doubt that he’s the best player in the world,” he remarked

Meanwhile, centurion Babar attributed the positive mindset as a key factor for his consistency with the bat.

“I try to improve my game day-by-day and play according to the situation,” said Pakistan skipper

“We were on a comfortable stage at the first 10 overs but I have to hold a little bit after back-to-back wickets”

“However, after playing one good over we got the momentum and I felt that we can score 190 or even 200 from there onward,” he said without mentioning any particular over as Pakistan scored overall 46 runs in the last four overs to reach a massive 192-run total.

New Zealand in reply, could only amass 154/7 in their quota of 20 overs thanks to Haris Rauf’s consecutive four-for in two matches.

Pakistan next play the tourists on April 17 at the same venue before the final two matches in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.

READ: Hayley’s ton helps Warriors outclass Falcons to lift FairBreak 2023 troph

LAHORE: Karachi Kings’ skipper Imad Wasim, who was phenomenal with his all-round performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) eight stated on Sunday that he would have been happier if his team had advanced into the playoffs.

Imad, during an interview in Pitch Side after Karachi Kings’ resounding 86-run victory over Lahore Qalandars, responded to a question regarding his brilliant individual performance and stated that it did not mean much to the all-rounder.

“Look, we are paid professionals so it is our job to perform but I don’t rate individual performances much. If our team had qualified [for the playoffs] or played the final then it would be nice,” shared Imad.

“I personally think if you perform so much and yet your team does not go through then to me such performances are not beneficial. People think I played really well so yes, I did, but winning it for your team is a different thing and I’m more disappointed about that,” he continued.

The Kings’ skipper then reflected upon his team’s journey in this year’s PSL and reiterated close defeats and struggle in death bowling as the main rationales behind their shortcoming.

“As many matches we played, were all close ones, if the results were opposite, we would be second but it did not happen. We played good cricket throughout the tournament but we made some mistakes and it cost us and that’s what happens in T20 cricket,” said Imad.

“We faced difficulty in death bowling in the tournament. I think it cost us the entire season. So, it is very important. What I feel personally is that our team batted really well and everyone played with decent strike rates but again death bowling cost us,” he maintained.

Imad then pointed out the positives from his team’s progress in PSL 8 and termed the emergence of their youngsters – Qasim Akram and Irfan Khan Niazi – stood out for the team.

“I think, the way Irfan Khan Niazi came to the limelight is not easy for an emerging player. Our team’s prime goal is to play and win the playoff and the second is to give talented players to our country, who can serve the national team in future. I think Irfan Niazi and Qasim [Akram] have a lot of time to play cricket,” stated Imad.

“Secondly, the way Akhlaq played, how brilliant was when he got the chance. It was unfortunate that he couldn’t get the chance earlier since we had James Vince and Matthew Wade.

“So, such things often happen that you make chop and change but those who are your main players, you try to trust them and we did exactly that. Moreover, we do not have any regrets but yes we are saddened that we couldn’t advance in the tournament,” Imad concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that after Akhlaq and Imad’s brilliance propelled the Kings to 196/7 the Kings’ bowlers crushed the Qalandars’ batting unit to script a resounding 86-run victory.

The dominating victory over Qalandars in their final PSL 8 fixture lifted the Kings to finish in fifth spot as they finished with six points in 10 matches.

READ: Kings’ Akhlaq ‘pleased’ with his match-winning knock against Qalandars