10 players who will be playing their last World Cup in 2015

10 players who will be playing their last World Cup in 2015: The ICC World Cup 2015 will see some of the players appearing on the big stage for the final time. Some will continue to play international cricket in one or other formats, while some will say goodbye to cricket entirely. Here are some of the players who will light up the big stage one last time. (Note: the list is not any particular order.) 10.Shahid Afridi (Pakistan, 1996) Mt: 389 Runs: 7870 Best :124 Avg: 23.49 100s: 6 50s:38 Wkts: 391 Best: 7/12 Afridi started out as a teenage phenomenon scoring the then fastest century in ODIs in 1996 at the age of 16. (Photo Source: AFP) The mercurial Pakistani all-rounder announced that the 2015 World Cup would be his last ODI tournament and that he will retire after the tournament. Afridi started out as a teenage phenomenon scoring the then fastest century in ODIs in 1996 at the age of 16. His hard-hitting batting style continued to capture the imagination of fans all over the world. But in the recent 4-5 years, Afridi has become more a leg spinner than an all-rounder. He has helped Pakistan win many matches with his fast leg breaks and some big hitting in last overs of a game. Shahid Afridi made his World Cup debut in the 1999 edition and has also captained Pakistan to a semi-final in 2011 World Cup. He recently announced his retirement from One Day format after the 2015 World cup and said that he wants to win the World T20 in 2016 before retiring from international cricket. 9.Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan, 2002) Mt :153 Runs: 4669 Best: 96* Avg: 42.83 100s:0 50s: 37 At 40, Misbah knows that this will be his last limited overs tournament and wants to end on a high. (Photo Source : ZeeNews.India) Current Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has transformed himself into an excellent middle order batsman capable of finishing matches on his own. Misbah debuted in 2002, but after a string of failures was dropped in 2003-2004. He got his second wind in 2007 and was handed the captaincy in 2008. Misbah has captained Pakistan with great success despite the turmoil in his home nation. Recently, he even broke the record for the fastest fifty in test cricket and equaled the record for the fastest century in tests. At 40, Misbah knows that this will be his last limited overs tournament and wants to end on a high. He has announced that he will keep playing test cricket. 8.Michael Clarke (Australia, 2003) Mt :238 Runs:7762 Best:130 Avg:44.86 100s:8 50s:56 Granted that he recovers from the injury and plays, this will likely be his final hurrah in the limited overs format for Australia. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The Australian captain is currently injured and recently was given the date of 21st February to prove his fitness for the 2015 World cup. He has been injured since the 2nd test between Australia and India and at 33, has admitted that it will be difficult for him to continue playing at the highest level with his back and hamstring injuries ailing him in last 3-4 years. Michael Clarke debuted for Australia in 2003 against Ne Zealand and then impressed the cricketing world with a debut test century against India, and has been a prolific One Day player since his debut. Clarke has manage to accumulate 7000 plus runs without the usual big hitting that is associated with the format. He averages almost 45 with 8 centuries to his name. He also has been the backbone of the Australian middle order along with George Bailey in recent times. Australia has named him the captain of the side with George Bailey as his deputy. It is likely, that Clarke will be available to play only the second half of the tournament. Granted that he recovers from the injury and plays, this will likely be his final hurrah in the limited overs format for Australia. 7.Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka, 1999) Mt :301 Runs:9023 Best:160* Avg:38.23 100s:18 50s:41 Wkts: 95 Best 4/4 Dilshan who is 38 years of age has been the ideal replacement for Sanath Jayasuriya at the top of the order. (Photo Source: BCCI) The experienced and multi-talented Tillakaratne Dilshan who has kept wickets for Sri Lanka, bowled and batted from numbers 1 to 7 for his team will also be playing his last World Cup. Dilshan who is 38 years of age has been the ideal replacement for Sanath Jayasuriya at the top of the order. He has played some great knocks for the Sri Lankan team, giving them a quick start when needed. The inventor of the ‘Dil-Scoop’, Dilshan has also kept wickets in absence of Kumar Sangakkara and even rolled his arm over when needed. 6.Younis Khan (Pakistan, 2000) Mt :259 Runs:7177 Best:144 Avg:31.75 100s:7 50s:48 The wristy player has been a part of Pakistan’s ODI unit since his debut in 2000. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Younis Khan who was recently dropped from the Pakistan ODI side has been picked for what is his last World Cup to strengthen the experience quota of the team. The wristy player has been a part of Pakistan’s ODI unit since his debut in 2000. Younis who has also captained Pakistan, was not favoured due to his age and loss of form, but he made close to 500 runs in the 2 test series against New Zealand with a double century and 2 centuries in the next test forced the selectors to consider him for the marquee event. 5.Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka, 2004) Mt :177 Wkts:271 Best:6/38 Malinga took 4 wickets in 4 balls against South Africa and is the only bowler to take 2 hat tricks in World Cup cricket. (Photo Source : AFP) Lasith Malinga will ensure that he makes his final World Cup a tournament to remember as he did in his first World Cup in 2007. Malinga took 4 wickets in 4 balls against South Africa and is the only bowler to take 2 hat tricks in World Cup cricket. Injury has plagued the 35-year-old mercurial pace bowler in recent times and he himself admitted that if fit, this would be his last World cup and maybe the games he plays in the ODI format. One thing is for sure, everyone will miss his smile and jovial nature on the field. 4.Chris Gayle (West Indies, 1999) Mt :258 Runs:8810 Best:153* Avg:37.33 100s:21 50s:46 Wkts:158 Best:5/46 Gayle who will be playing his fourth World Cup, will try and take West Indies into the elimination round at-least. (Photo Source: AFP) The giant West Indian who has made himself immortal in the T20s in recent years will also be turning up for the last time in the World Cup in the maroon uniform. 36 year old Chris Gayle has redefined what limited overs’ batting is and his ODI record matches his terrific stroke play and big hitting. Gayle who will be playing his fourth World Cup, will try to take West Indies into the elimination round at-least. Though still playing T20 everywhere in the world, the 2015 World Cup will certainly be his final World cup in the 50 overs format. 3.Daniel Vettori (New Zealand, 1997) Mt :280 Runs:2151 50s:4 Wkts:289 Best:5/7 Vettori who has already retired from test cricket, admitted that this might be his last limited overs appearance as well owing to his declining fitness. (Photo Source: AFP) Daniel Vettori, the spectacled off spinner managed to win his fight against injuries and was declared fit enough to be named in the Kiwi World Cup 2015 squad as one of the 2 spinners. Vettori who is also a former captain, will appear in his 5th World Cup. Vettori who has already retired from test cricket, admitted that this might be his last limited overs appearance as well owing to his declining fitness. Daniel Vettori debuted in 1997 as a 17-year-old left arm orthodox spinner and has been an integral part of the New Zealand outfit ever since. Vettori also captained the team in 2011 edition of the game. New Zealand will count on his experience on home turf for this is the best chance they have of lifting the illustrious World Cup trophy. 2.Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka,2000) Mt :391 Runs:13376 Best:169 Avg:40.53 100s:20 50s:91 Ct:389 St:95 Kumar Sangakkara has announced his retirement from the ODI format after the upcoming World Cup 2015. (Photo Source: Getty Images) One half of the grand pillars of Sri Lankan Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara has announced his retirement from the ODI format after the upcoming World Cup 2015. Sangakkara who has been a major source of inspiration and has been in top form from last 3-4 years will definitely be looking to end his career on a high. Sangakkara recently retired from T20 internationals after winning the World T20 2014 and will be looking to do the same in 2015. Kumar Sangakkara debuted in 2000 as a wicketkeeper batsman and has lead the country in 2011 World cup where they were defeated in the final by India. But even at the age of 38, Sangakkara has been in top form with both the bat and the gloves behind the stumps and will surely look forward to end on a high. 1.Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka, 1998) Mt :435 Runs:12351 Best:144 Avg:33.47 100s:18 50s:76 Ct: 216 Jayawardene debuted in 1998 and will be playing his 5th 50 over World Cup. (Photo Source: BCCI) The biggest name to retire after the 2015 World Cup will be that of Mahela Jayawardene. Former captain already retired from test cricket and T20 internationals this year and will look forward to wipe out the gloom of losing 2 straight World Cup finals as a captain in 2007 and as a player in 2011 editions. Jayawardene debuted in 1998 and will be playing his 5th 50 over World Cup. Jayawardene who used to play in the middle order, had recently started opening the innings and proved successful in the role, especially in the 2011 World cup final where he scored a brilliant century to guide Sri Lanka to 276 runs. As he calls curtains on his very successful international career, he will certainly be hoping for a fairy tale finish. Sri Lanka and the whole cricket world will definitely miss both Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara in the limited overs format. *All stats updated till 14th January 2015.