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“Pakistan is my pride…”: Sufiyan Muqeem breaks silence on quitting Pakistan after selection snubs
Young wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has finally responded to growing rumours about leaving Pakistan cricket, making his stance crystal clear amid ongoing selection frustrations.
Pakistan’s young spin sensation Sufiyan Muqeem has put an end to the growing speculation surrounding his future, firmly denying reports that he is planning to leave Pakistan cricket.
The 23-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, who has been repeatedly overlooked despite strong performances in domestic and franchise cricket, has now spoken publicly after rumours suggested he was considering moving abroad.
And his message left no room for doubt.
Sufiyan breaks silence on viral rumours
Speculation around Muqeem’s future intensified after a series of social media posts and his current stint in England led many to believe he was preparing to walk away from Pakistan cricket.
The rumours gained momentum amid frustration over his repeated omission from the national side.
However, Muqeem shut down all the claims with an emotional statement on X.
“The rumors about me leaving Pakistan are completely baseless,” he wrote.
He clarified that his stay in England is solely for playing T20 cricket for Derbyshire Falcons.
“Pakistan is my identity”
In his statement, Muqeem made it clear that representing Pakistan remains his ultimate dream.
“Pakistan is my identity, my pride, and my homeland, and it will always remain first for me,” he said.
The post quickly went viral, earning support from fans who have been demanding his return to the national setup.
A talent waiting for another chance
The last time Muqeem featured for Pakistan national cricket team was during the Asia Cup in 2025, where he played one ODI and one T20I.
Although he remained part of several squads after that, consistent opportunities in the playing XI remained limited.
That has left many questioning the selectors’ approach.
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Dominating domestic cricket and PSL
Muqeem has built a strong reputation in Pakistan’s domestic circuit since his breakthrough in 2023.
His biggest statement came in the Pakistan Super League 2026 season, where he starred for Peshawar Zalmi.
He picked up an impressive 22 wickets in 11 matches, playing a key role in guiding his team to the final.
Apart from PSL, he also delivered notable performances in the Bangladesh Premier League, National T20 Cup, and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Why is he still being ignored?
Pakistan’s white-ball setup has increasingly preferred all-rounders over specialist bowlers.
With experienced names like Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz offering both batting and bowling depth, breaking into the side has become harder for pure spinners like Muqeem.
Even standout domestic performances haven’t guaranteed selection.
Will he return soon?
After his public clarification, the chances of Muqeem making a comeback seem stronger than ever.
With Pakistan constantly searching for spin options in white-ball cricket, many believe his return could happen sooner rather than later.
For now, though, Muqeem remains focused on his County T20 journey in England—while keeping his national dream very much alive.
