Veteran Pakistan middle-order batter Azhar Ali received a guard of honor following his dismissal in the final Test innings of his illustrious career at Karachi’s National Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Notably, Azhar had announced his retirement from the longest format ahead of the ongoing third and final Test against England. He came out to bat in the first innings and scored 45 runs. Then, Azhar walked in to bat for the final time to a rousing round of applause from the fans at the National Stadium.
However, Azhar’s 180th and final Test innings lasted only four balls as he was clean bowled for a duck by English spinner Jack Leach with a full delivery that spun and hit the top of the off-stump. Soon after his dismissal, Azhar was surrounded by England players, including Leach, to congratulate the Pakistan batter on his career.
When Azhar was near the boundary rope to go to the team’s pavilion, his teammates formed a group holding bats in the air to give Azhar a well-deserved guard of honour. Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who was next to bat, also congratulated Azhar while entering the field.
Waqar Younis, the former Pakistan fast bowler who was on the air, said Azhar being dismissed for a duck doesn’t matter, and the batter can hold his head high as he has given everything for Pakistan in all the years he played.
“It doesn’t matter if he got runs in this innings or not, he can hold his head high the way he has played for Pakistan with a lot of honour. He’s given everything to the country for all these years. Superb player,” said Waqar.
Here is the video:
For the final time.
Farewell, @AzharAli_ 💚#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/IBlftcxxXR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 19, 2022
