Iftikhar Ahmed: “I can still play for Pakistan for 7 to 8 more years”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan big-hitting all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed firmly believes he can still represent his country for another seven to eight years, despite being 36.
Iftikhar was once a key member of Pakistan’s white-ball setup, but inconsistent performances led to him being dropped.
Although his last international appearance came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, he remains confident of making a comeback, particularly after his strong performances in domestic cricket.
The veteran is currently captaining Khan Research Laboratories in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament, where he has scored 410 runs in seven matches, which includes a century and two fifties, at an average of 45.55.
He has also taken 16 wickets, which includes a five-wicket haul, at an average of 23.81.
“I can still play for Pakistan for 7 to 8 more years,” he was quoted as saying by TOK Sports.
Iftikhar was not picked for Pakistan’s recent three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which the men in green won 2-1.
He was also overlooked for the ongoing ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England.
Pakistan’s Squad for the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim