Pakistan allrounder Imad Wasim recently announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 34, citing his mental condition as a primary factor behind this unexpected decision.
Imad Wasim, a spin-bowling allrounder, had witnessed a decline in his role within Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams, culminating in his last appearance against New Zealand in April. Reports hinted at strained relations with former captain Babar Azam, and despite speculations about a World Cup call-up, the selectors decided against recalling him.
In a recent interview, Imad Wasim revealed that his mental state played a crucial role in his decision to retire. He admitted not being in the right frame of mind, indicating that his mental well-being took precedence over other aspects of his career. Furthermore, he hinted at the possibility of reconsidering his retirement in the future.
“It was my own decision (to retire). Mentally, I wasn’t in the right state of mind where I should have been. If I were in that mental state, it’s obvious I would never have done such a thing. So, it’s a matter of mindset and understanding. It’s more about the mental aspect than anything else,” said Imad Wasim.
Imad Wasim’s interview shed light on the mental aspect of his decision-making process. He emphasized that his mental state was the determining factor. Despite affirming his decision at the moment, he left the door open for potential changes in the future.
“This is life, and anything is possible in it. Nothing is impossible. However, I hadn’t decided on a U-turn. You never know what life might bring next,” he added.
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Imad Wasim confirms he took the decision to retire from international cricket for his mental peace and there’s an option he could take his retirement back in future 👀 #AbuDhabiT10 pic.twitter.com/jnawAvUeZi
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 1, 2023
Imad Wasim played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s U19 World Cup victory in 2006 before making his debut for the senior team in 2015. His contributions were significant in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win in 2017. His international career boasts statistics of 55 ODIs with 44 wickets and 986 runs and 66 T20Is with 65 wickets and 486 runs.