Veteran batsman Saqib Ali will no longer wear the UAE national jersey after announcing his international retirement. The 37-year-old, who made his first-class debut against Namibia in 2006, cites injuries as his major reason to call it quits.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time and I feel this is the right time to step down from the international game,” said Ali. “It’s been really difficult for me for the last two or three years. I’ve had back injuries and knee injuries since 2012 and at times that cost me a place in the UAE set-up. In the end, I just couldn’t cope with it.”
Ali walks away from the international game having scored 3,336 runs in 94 games in all formats with his highest individual score being 195 against Ireland in an ICC Intercontinental Cup match in 2008.
Despite missing out on the final 2015 World Cup squad, he remained on the UAE radar, making the cut for the World Twenty20 qualifiers and ICC Intercontinental Cup in June.
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His last appearance came in the latter tournament, where he made 27 and 51 as the UAE suffered an innings and 26-run defeat to Ireland in their first-round match in Dublin. He would have added to that tally at the World Twenty20 qualifiers in Scotland, only to be replaced in the squad after suffering a finger injury in practice.
Disappointed not to play in that competition, in which the UAE failed to qualify for next year’s edition in India, he said it was an honour to play international cricket.
“It was a good journey to be part of,” he said. “It was a privilege to be part of the UAE national set-up and I thoroughly enjoyed playing for them. I’ve made some very good friends with the other players and have some good memories. It’s going to be hard not playing with them, but I am happy that I gave my 100 per cent every time.”
Ali will still continue playing for his club New Medical Centre on the domestic circuit this season.
“I’m looking forward to still playing for New Medical Centre and I want them to win some trophies with them this season.”