Breaking! Pakistan's Star Fast Bowler Retires from International Cricket Just Before Asia Cup 2025

Just days before the start of the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan national cricket team's star fast bowler has announced his retirement from international cricket. Pakistan is set to open their campaign against Oman on September 12 in the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. But the recent news of the fast bowler's retirement has shaken things.

The fast bowler who has retired is Usman Shinwari, who played a key role for his team at the peak of his career. The left-arm quick, who last played for Pakistan in 2019, represented the national side in 34 matches across formats during a six-year stint. While he wasn't a part of the mix in the last few years, he was still seen as one of the best left-arm quicks within the country.

Usman Shinwari international retirement won't affect the current Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup 2025 as he wasn't a part of his team's plans recently. Some of the best cricket teams in the world will compete against each other in the Asia Cup, which makes it such an exciting tournament.

Usman Shinwari Retirement: Pakistan Left-arm Pacer Quits International Cricket

Usman Shinwari Pakistan appearance came for the first time in 2013, when he made his debut in a T20I against Sri Lanka. In total, he played 17 ODIs and 16 T20Is, picking up 34 wickets in the 50-over format and 13 in T20s. His only Test appearance came in December 2019, again against Sri Lanka, marking both his debut and final Test outing.

Before Usman Shinwari's retirement, his most memorable performances in a Pakistan shirt came in the ODI format. He picked up two five-wicket hauls in his career, the first arriving in just his second appearance, when he troubled Sri Lanka’s batting line-up in Sharjah in October 2017. That day, Shinwari produced a remarkable spell of 5 for 34, with all five wickets falling in the span of just 21 deliveries. He repeated the feat two years later in his second last ODI, once again against Sri Lanka, this time in Karachi, in September 2019.

His rise to the national team began in 2013, at just 19 years of age. The left-arm quick delivered a stunning performance in the final of the departmental T20 Cup. Playing for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, he ran through Misbah-ul-Haq’s SNGPL side with a spell of 5 for 9 in just over three overs.

This performance instantly caught the attention of selectors and earned him a call-up to the T20I squad. Despite moments of brilliance, Shinwari struggled to replicate his domestic dominance on the international stage consistently. More recently, he featured for Quetta Region in the National T20 Cup, but went wicketless in all four of his outings.

Pakistan Bowling Lineup for Asia Cup 2025

Usman Shinwari might have retired from international cricket but that won't affect Pakistan bowling unit for the Asia Cup 2025, which is looking one of the most exciting ones in the tournament. The leader of the attack is Shaheen Shah Afridi, one of the best bowlers in Asia Cup 2025. Afridi's ability to swing the new ball both ways at pace makes him a constant threat. He’s joined by Haris Rauf, who is a match-winner in white-ball cricket with his raw pace.

Then there's Abrar Ahmed, the leg-spinner who has become one of Pakistan's most dependable options in the middle overs in white-ball cricket. His variations offer a different dimension, especially on subcontinental pitches where spin tends to dominate. Apart from these 3 bowlers, other players in the squad can chip in in certain situations.

Hasan Ali brings experience, often acting as the glue in the pace department. Mohammad Wasim Jr. brings in slower balls and the ability to reverse swing with the older ball. On the spin front, Mohammad Nawaz provides a steady left-arm orthodox option, along with the wrist spin of Abrar.