Imad Wasim reverses retirement decision, eyeing spot in Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad

Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim announced his decision to come out of retirement, opening the door for his inclusion in the national squad for the T20 World Cup. This announcement followed discussions with officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), marking a pivotal moment in Wasim's cricketing career.

Wasim had initially stepped away from international cricket in November of the previous year, but recent dialogues with PCB have led him to reconsider his retirement. Expressing his enthusiasm for the reversal, Wasim shared on his X account, “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.” He extended his gratitude towards the PCB for their confidence in him and committed to striving for Pakistan's success on the global stage.

Speculation around Wasim's potential return had been growing, especially following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Influential figures such as chief selector Wahab Riaz and T20I captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had openly encouraged Wasim to reverse his retirement decision. This encouragement was further bolstered by Wasim's outstanding performance in the PSL, where he played a crucial role in leading Islamabad United to championship glory.

With a career spanning 55 ODIs and 66 T20Is, Wasim has established himself as a key player for Pakistan, particularly with his left-arm spin that has accounted for 44 and 65 wickets in the respective formats. The PCB is expected to announce a preliminary player pool for a training camp at an army base in Kakul, Northern Pakistan.

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(With PTI inputs)