Usman Qadir, the leg-spinner, has announced his retirement from Pakistan cricket. Four years after returning from Australia and pledging his international allegiance to Pakistan, the 31-year-old took to social media to share that his career as a cricketer for the national team had come to an end.
In his announcement, Qadir expressed his deep gratitude for the journey he experienced, emphasising the honour of representing his country and thanking his coaches and teammates for their unwavering support.
During his time with the national team, Qadir played one ODI and 25 T20 internationals, debuting in a home T20I series against Zimbabwe. He made a spectacular entrance into international cricket, taking eight wickets for 60 runs over three matches and earning the Player of the Series title. At his peak, he was regarded as Pakistan's leading leg-spinner, momentarily sidelining Shadab Khan from the T20I squad.
Surprisingly, just a few years prior, in 2018, it seemed unlikely that Qadir would ever bowl for Pakistan, as he had expressed his wish to represent Australia. He debuted with Western Australia that same year and played for the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.
Although he started strong, his performances were marred by inconsistency and disciplinary issues during his time in Australia; in 2019, he faced legal troubles after being caught speeding.
Unexpectedly, in late 2019, Misbah-ul-Haq included him in the Pakistan squad for a series in Australia, even before Qadir had publicly stated his commitment to playing for Pakistan. This announcement came shortly after the passing of his father, Abdul Qadir, a legendary leg-spinner, from a sudden heart attack. Usman later mentioned that his father's death significantly influenced his decision to represent the country where he was born.
Despite his potential, Qadir continued to struggle with consistency while playing for Pakistan. His last appearance for the national team was at the Asian Games in October 2023, although he participated in two matches during the recently concluded Champions One-Day Cup with the Markhors. Over the past year, his relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board had reached a breaking point, and he accused them of mishandling his injury, claiming to have evidence to support his allegations.
While Qadir did not outline his future plans in his retirement statement, he honoured his father's legacy, stating that he would continue to uphold the values and love for cricket that his father instilled in him. He expressed his commitment to carrying the spirit of Pakistan cricket and cherishing the memories created together.