Leg-spinner Usman Qadir has announced his retirement from Pakistan cricket. Four years after returning from Australia and committing his international future to the country, the 31-year-old shared the news on social media, marking the end of his career as a Pakistan cricketer.
“Today, I am announcing my retirement from Pakistan cricket,” Qadir stated. “As I reflect on this unforgettable journey, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude. It has been a tremendous honor to represent my country, and I’m thankful for the support of my coaches and teammates who have been with me every step of the way.”
Qadir made his mark in international cricket by playing one ODI and 25 T20Is for Pakistan, debuting in a T20I home series against Zimbabwe. He enjoyed a strong start, taking eight wickets for 60 runs across three matches and earning the Player of the Series accolade. At his peak, he was regarded as Pakistan’s leading leg-spinner, briefly keeping Shadab Khan out of the T20I team.
It seemed unlikely that Qadir would ever play for Pakistan, especially in 2018 when he expressed a desire to represent Australia. He debuted for Western Australia that year and played for the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL).
However, inconsistency plagued his performances, compounded by disciplinary issues in Australia. In 2019, he faced court proceedings for speeding.
In late 2019, unexpectedly, Misbah-ul-Haq named him in a Pakistan squad for a series in Australia, before Qadir had officially committed to playing for Pakistan. Just weeks earlier, his father, the legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, had passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest. Usman later revealed that his father’s death played a significant role in his decision to represent the country of his birth.
Despite his initial promise, Qadir struggled with inconsistency while playing for Pakistan as well. His last appearance for the national team was at the Asian Games in October 2023, although he participated in two matches in the recent Champions One-Day Cup with the Markhors. Over the past year, his relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had deteriorated, leading him to accuse the board of mismanaging his injury in May, claiming he had evidence to support his allegations.
While Qadir did not detail his future plans in his retirement announcement, he paid homage to his father’s legacy: “As I step into this new chapter, I will continue my dad’s legacy, embracing both my love for cricket and the lessons he instilled in me. I carry with me the spirit of Pakistan cricket and the cherished memories we created together.”
