All-rounder Bilal Asif Announces Retirement From International Cricket
Pakistani off-spinning all-rounder calls time on his career at the age of 39 after memorable performances
Mohammad Bilal Asif
Right-arm offbreak Allrounder
Personal Details
Born: September 24, 1985, Sialkot, Punjab
Age: 39 years 355 days
Batting Style: Right hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right arm Offbreak
Playing Role: Allrounder
Relations: Zahid Saeed (uncle)
Teams Played For
Pakistan
Lahore Qalandars
Sialkot
Sialkot Region
Pakistan’s versatile all-rounder Bilal Asif has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 39, ending a career that included memorable performances against top teams.
Asif made his international debut in 2015 and quickly made an impact with his off-spin bowling and handy lower-order batting. He represented Pakistan in 5 Tests, 17 ODIs, and 10 T20Is over the course of his career.
Wickets on Test debut vs Australia
Wickets in 2nd ODI vs Zimbabwe
Age at retirement
Career Statistics
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 5 | 8 | 0 | 73 | 15 | 9.12 | 176 | 41.47 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| ODIs | 3 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 38 | 13.33 | 49 | 81.63 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| FC | 44 | 67 | 6 | 1027 | 111 | 16.83 | 2128 | 48.26 | 2 | 2 | 122 | 13 | 23 | 0 |
| List A | 77 | 62 | 9 | 940 | 56 | 17.73 | 1153 | 81.52 | 0 | 2 | 79 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| T20s | 53 | 33 | 5 | 513 | 114 | 18.32 | 391 | 131.20 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 27 | 21 | 0 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 5 | 10 | 1174 | 424 | 16 | 6/36 | 6/123 | 26.50 | 2.16 | 73.3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| ODIs | 3 | 3 | 132 | 96 | 5 | 5/25 | 5/25 | 19.20 | 4.36 | 26.4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FC | 44 | 71 | 8611 | 4154 | 133 | 8/112 | 11/149 | 31.23 | 2.89 | 64.7 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
| List A | 77 | 76 | 3903 | 3145 | 98 | 5/25 | 5/25 | 32.09 | 4.83 | 39.8 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| T20s | 53 | 51 | 999 | 1267 | 54 | 3/11 | 3/11 | 23.46 | 7.60 | 18.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Memorable Debut Against Australia
Bilal Asif will be best remembered for his spectacular Test debut against Australia in Dubai in 2018. The off-spinner claimed 6 wickets for 36 runs in the second innings, helping Pakistan secure a convincing victory.
His ability to extract sharp turn and bounce surprised the Australian batsmen, with his victims including well-established players like Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh.
Success in ODI Cricket
In just his second One Day International against Zimbabwe, Asif delivered another outstanding performance, taking a five-wicket haul that showcased his control and variation.
Though his opportunities in the national team were limited due to the presence of other spinners, he remained a consistent performer in domestic cricket, representing various teams including Sialkot Stallions and Islamabad United.
– Bilal Asif
Domestic Career and Legacy
Beyond international cricket, Bilal Asif had a substantial domestic career, playing first-class cricket since 2005. He scored over 3,000 runs and took more than 300 wickets in the domestic circuit, demonstrating his all-round capabilities.
His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him a valuable asset for every team he represented. Many cricket pundits believe that had he received more opportunities at the international level, he could have established himself as a regular in the Pakistani lineup.
Future Plans
While retiring from international cricket, Asif has indicated that he may continue to play domestic T20 leagues around the world for a few more years. He also expressed interest in coaching and developing young spin bowlers in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board thanked him for his services to the nation and wished him well in his future endeavors. Asif’s retirement marks the end of an era for a player who always gave his best whenever called upon to represent the green jersey.