“Black day for me:” Usman Qadir’s wife criticises nepotism in Pakistan cricket after husband's retirement

Pakistan’s former cricketer Usman Qadir’s wife Sobia Usman expressed disappointment at her husband’s decision to retire from cricket, criticising unfairness and nepotism in the country.

The leg spinner is the son of the late former Test cricketer Abdul Qadir. He has represented Pakistan in 1 One Day International (ODI) and 25 Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.

On Thursday, Usman Qadir announced his retirement from Pakistan cricket on his Instagram account, sharing a lengthy note expressing gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and fans.

Sobia Usman Qadir, the wife of Usman Qadir, took to Instagram to share her dismay at her husband's decision to retire from cricket. She wrote, "Today feels like a black day for me as a Pakistani."

She called out the widespread "nepotism and favoritism in every field," adding that without supporting those who "genuinely deserve" opportunities, the country cannot progress.

“Let’s strive for merit and real crickets,” she concluded her post. 

In his Instagram post, Qadir did not disclose any specific reason for his decision to retire from Pakistani cricket.

The 31-year-old bowler said that he would cherish the memories of unforgettable victories and challenges he faced while representing his country on the cricket field.

“As I step into this new chapter, I will be continuing my dad’s legacy embracing both my love for cricket and the lessons he instilled in me,” he added, expressing gratitude to his fans for their “unwavering support.”

According to sources, Usman Qadir announced his retirement after becoming frustrated with the NOC process. He had been facing difficulties obtaining an NOC for an extended period.

He was dissatisfied with the international department's behaviour and plans to pursue his cricketing career abroad.