Watch: Azhar Ali’s answer to reporter’s question about retiring before playing his 100th Test wins hearts

The Babar Azam-led Pakistani men faced off against England in the third Test of the series that got underway on December 17, Saturday and eventually lost the match against the fiery Three Lions by 8 wickets on Day 4. While there were many disappointing moments from the game for the Pakistani fans and cricketers, Azhar Ali’s retirement turned out to be the most emotional one of all. 

Prior to the start of the third Test, Ali opened up on his retirement and said that he wanted to play 100 Tests, but wanted to make way for the youngsters as well. The video of the interview went viral on the internet and fans could not stop from lauding the veteran for his selfless decision, despite a milestone that was well within reach. 

Watch Azhar Ali’s interview here: 

https://twitter.com/MonemHassan_19/status/1603663247957278720?s=20&t=59Nf_Z5CuPv4uzoI4VZgrQ

I feel 300 is a special thing for me: Azhar Ali

The Pakistani cricketer said that his triple century would always remain close to his heart and added that he had to face a lot of ups and downs over the course of his career. Further, Ali claimed that he was the only cricketer from the country to score a 200 in Australia and added that it would always remain special to him.

“At one point, I thought I would never play a Test at home but finally I did that and scored a century as well. It was a challenging time, not playing at home and after what happened in England with the spot-fixing. It wasn’t nice, the next two years were hard on us, but credit to the boys. They have worked hard and brought the fans back and also the cricket has come back to Pakistan” Ali was quoted as saying in the interview. 

“I was more emotional in the first innings than the second. It was a nervy start in the first innings. I was quite calm in the second, but I am a human being so there was some emotion. here have been a lot of ups and downs and challenges in my career. I feel 300 is a special thing for me because not many people have done it. I am also the only Pakistani to score a double hundred in Australia so that is a big achievement, while another highlight was winning the Champions Trophy in 2017 in the white-ball format,” said the Pakistani cricketer further. 

“I would take that one day in my whole career. It is an exciting time for Pakistan cricket. I wish everyone well and hope they keep working hard and playing exciting cricket. People have also seen in this England series how supportive the fans are. You don’t always perform in every format but we have enough talent, enough potential so we have to stay patient,” he added.