Azhar Ali retires from One Day International cricket

Nov.1 (CRICKETNMORE) - Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali has announced his retirement from ODI cricket, saying he wishes to prolong his Test career.

"It is not a decision that I have taken suddenly," he told reporters. "I had been considering this for quite some time. I think the time is right for me to focus on Test cricket. This is my personal decision for the betterment of my career."

Azhar last appeared in white-ball cricket for Pakistan in New Zealand in January. Ali represented Pakistan in 53 ODIs and took charge of the team in the fifty-over format in 2015. He scored 1,845 runs at an average of 36.9, including three centuries and 12 half-centuries.

He proved a vital part of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy victory, scoring 228 runs at 45.60. The 33-year-old emphasised his support for the white-ball team under current skipper Sarfraz Ahmed.

"All of us should support Sarfraz," he said. "He is doing a brilliant job. He is handling everything very well. The team has gelled very well under him."