Waqar's international career ended at the 2003 World Cup

"It is a sad day for me, but the right time to go," he said on the eve of the third Test between Pakistan and India.

"I thought I could have played for a year or so, but I lost the hunger because the selectors did not consider me good enough any more."

Waqar, 32, claimed 373 wickets in 87 Tests at an average of 23.5 and 416 wickets in 262 one-day matches.

He also played county cricket England for Surrey, Glamorgan and Warwickshire.

"I have not decided on my future. It could be media work or coaching, but something definitely related to cricket," he added.

Waqar made his Test debut against India as an 18-year-old in 1989, taking 4-80 as he and Wasim Akram shared the new ball ahead of skipper Imran Khan.

It marked the start of an enduring partnership, which served Pakistan magnificently over the next decade.

"It was great bowling alongside Akram, he contributed to 50 percent of my success," Waqar said.

"We shared the burden and complemented each other. I was proud to be part of a partnership that was referred to as the two Ws of Pakistan cricket.

"People sometimes talk of the rivalry and controversy between us. It was nothing serious. In fact, any rivalry was a healthy one and good for the team."

Waqar took 29 wickets in a three-Test series against New Zealand in 1990, achieving career best figures of 7-76 in the third game in Faisalabad.

But arguably his finest hour came at The Oval two years later when he took 5-52 in England's second innings as Pakistan clinched a 2-1 series win.

Waqar had a good record as Pakistan captain, winning 10 out of 17 Tests and 25 out of 34 one-day games.

But their failure to progress beyond the first round stage of the World Cup ultimately cost him his job.

Imran led the tributes to Waqar, saying: "He was a thinking cricketer and at his peak he was the most destructive bowler the game had seen."

"When I spotted him in the late 1980s and brought him into the Pakistan team, he learnt fast and progressed by leaps and bounds.

"He was physically very fit and mentally very tough and resilience was his strongest point."