Zaheer Khan confirms retirement from international cricket
The medium-pacer is India's fourth-highest wicket taker, and was instrumental in its 2011 World Cup triumph.
Left-arm medium-pacer Zaheer Khan, who has played for India since 2000, confirmed his retirement from international cricket on Thursday. Khan tweeted: "I bid adieu to my career in international cricket. I look forward to signing off with IPL 9." In a long statement, he said this was the toughest decision of his career, and he knew it was time to call it quits as his shoulder was not up to the task anymore.
Earlier in the day, Rajeev Shukla, chairman of the Indian Premier League had tweeted that Khan would make the announcement shortly. The 37-year-old bowler has not played an international match since February 2014 owing to a series of injuries and patchy form.
In his statement, Khan said his greatest cricketing moment was being part of India's 2011 World Cup victory, in which he took a tournament high of 21 wickets. Over the course of his career, he took 311 wickets in 92 Test matches, and 282 scalps in 200 One-Day Internationals. He is the fourth-highest wicket-taker among Indians after Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh. He plays for the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL.
Khan tweeted his official statement alongside his goodbye to international cricket.
I bid adieu to my career in international cricket. I look forward to signing off with IPL 9. #ZaksNewBeginning pic.twitter.com/FLpaokbLy1
— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) October 15, 2015
Khan's teammates and others from the cricket fraternity sent him farewell messages.
One of the coolest pace bowlers I know. He was a bowler who could 'out think' the batsman most of the times. Always up for a challenge (1/2)
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2015
I am sure he will do well as he begins a new chapter in his life. Wishing @ImZaheer all success in his retired life (2/2)
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2015
When you have a relaxed conversation with @ImZaheer you realise what a shrewd and intelligent cricketer he was. Wish him well.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 15, 2015
In my opinion @ImZaheer was India's best fast bowler after Kapil. Also pivotal figure in team reaching World Cup final in & winning in 2011
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 15, 2015
To a great fast bowler & an even greater person, I wish you luck in all future endeavours @ImZaheer bhai. You have inspired many like me.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 15, 2015
Here are some highlights from his career:
- Khan made his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2000 and his ODI debut the same year against Kenya. He played his last one-day match against Sri Lanka in 2012 and his final Test against New Zealand in 2014.
- He has a bowling average of 32.94 in Tests and 29.43 in ODIs.
- His best performances include taking 5/42 in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2007, and a 7/87 haul in a Test against Bangladesh in 2010.
- He gained attention for his particularly precise yorkers. He used a memorable one to dismiss Steve Waugh in an ODI in 2000 during the ICC Knockout tournament, which announced his arrival on the international scene.
- He was the highest wicket taker in the historic Natwest series against England in 2002, and along with Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh, formed a path-breaking new ODI team for India.
- After being dropped from the Indian team, Khan went to England in 2006 to play county cricket for Worcestershire and had a sensational season, taking 59 wickets in ten games. He returned to the Indian team shortly after.
- Khan was a key player in India’s 2011 World Cup victory,taking 21 wickets.
(Statistics via ESPNcricinfo.com)
