Hamza Tahir launches grievance against Cricket Scotland, board to investigate matters

Cricket Scotland will be investigating some of the grievances formally expressed by left-arm spinner Hamza Tahir, who is set to retire with immediate effect, after being denied a central contract renewal.

Hamza, 28, played 31 ODIs and 17 T20Is for Scotland between 2018 and 2024 and picked up 40 and 23 wickets respectively. Cricket Scotland acknowledged him as a "tremendous performer" and thanked him for his contributions to the national team.

Hamza has outlined some of the performance-based reasons for his contract not being renewed, and Cricket Scotland’s Performance department remains satisfied with its call. The cricket-governing body mentioned in a statement that it has a grievance procedure in place which provides means for issues of concern to be raised. They assured that they are currently undertaking an independent investigation into the matters raised and will respond accordingly to Hamza and his advisors.

"I’ve given so much to the sport and I’ve given so much to Cricket Scotland. Looking back, it has just been a waste of time. I’ve put in hard yards, I’ve put in so much effort and it has not been rewarded fairly. It’s just a very toxic environment, and not one that I want to be a part of," said Tahir.

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 I was obviously hoping to still play for Scotland: Tahir

Furthermore, Hamza Tahir claimed that he had received a call from someone at Cricket Scotland, who informed him that his contract won't be renewed. The disappointed cricketer described his six-year stint as a waste of time, as he regretted not doing anything else during that period.

"It was the 25th of March, five days before the end of my contract, and I got a call from someone at Cricket Scotland, telling me I wouldn’t be getting it renewed. I was obviously hoping to still play for Scotland because that’s all I know really, is to play cricket. Receiving that call was tough. I feel like I haven’t achieved anything. I’ve had 49 caps in those six years," Tahir stated.

"Looking back, it was a waste of time. In those six years, I could have done something completely different. I know you should be thankful for the life that you have, but being away from family, missing out on events, missing out on funerals, not being there when people have passed away, has been tough," he added.

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The Chairman of Cricket Scotland, Wilf Walsh, said that it will not be possible to right the wrongs of the past but the board is willing to ensure a better future for the sport.

“It is clear that as part of our Cricket Scotland strategy and vision, culture must be at the heart of our sport’s redemptive and unifying journey," Wilf Walsh said in his statement.

“I share the frustrations of those who feel that the independent investigation’s findings do not provide adequate closure after more than two years. I repeat that this has been an unedifying episode from which there are no winners. We cannot simply undo historical failings, but we can ensure the future of our sport is drastically improved by our actions moving forward," he added.

Richie Berrington's men will resume their Cricket World Cup League Two campaign on July 16, as they take on Oman in Dundee. Scotland are currently placed at No. 4 on the points table, having won one and lost two out of their first three games.