Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has decided to reverse his retirement from T20I cricket, making himself available for selection once again, as announced on Saturday.
In a statement shared on social media, Imad expressed his happiness at being available for Pakistan cricket specifically in the T20I format leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Imad reportedly does not anticipate signing a central contract and is only going to be available for the T20 World Cup.
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.
— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) March 23, 2024
I would like to thank the PCB for reposing trust in me and I…
Imad’s return to T20I cricket comes after a hiatus of over a year, with speculation rising following his impressive performance in the 2024 PSL season. His standout moment was a five-wicket haul in the final, contributing to Islamabad United’s championship victory. Imad mentioned to ESPNcricinfo that the PCB had requested him to reconsider his retirement earlier in the week and stated that he has no conditions for representing Pakistan.
His all-round skills and past success in the Caribbean Premier League make him an appealing choice for Pakistan, especially in a year where a significant portion of the T20 World Cup will be hosted in the West Indies. Imad’s CPL statistics speak volumes – he has taken 61 wickets at an average of 18.88 and an economy rate of 6.20.
The PCB has not yet commented on whether Imad’s return alters his contractual status. While he currently shows no interest in a central contract, signing one would subject him to the same NOC policy as other players, limiting participation in more than two T20 overseas leagues annually. Nevertheless, Imad’s availability until the T20 World Cup, where he appears to be a certain selection, benefits all parties involved.
