Zaheer Khan announces retirement with a 2 page statement on twitter

Zaheer Khan announces retirement with a 2 page statement on twitter: Zaheer Khan today announced his retirement from International cricket. However, he said that he will be available for the Indian Premier League season 9.

Zaheer Khan is perhaps the best left arm seamer India ever produced. Zak has played 92 Tests for India, picking 311 wickets at an average of 32.94. He has also played in 200 ODIs in which he has 282 scalps at 29.43 apart from 17 wickets in 17 T20Is. He is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in longer version among Indians after Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434) and Harbhajan Singh (417).

He played a vital role in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph as Zaheer was the joint highest wicket taker of the tournament.

The left-arm medium-pacer last played for India in February 2014 against New Zealand in Wellington. He was missing out the opportunities to play due to persistent injuries and tough competitions from young bowlers.

He announced his retirement in social networking site Twitter today morning.  Here is his two page official statement.

New Beginning…

The toughest call in a cricketing career is when onehas to walk away from the game itself. You almost ‘will’ yourself and push that few, extra miles but then thebody, after nearly two decades, decides not to respond.

As I was training for the upcoming season, it dawned on me that my shoulder may not last the rigours of bowling nearly eighteen overs a day, and that’s when I knew it was time…

With immediate effect, I bid adieu to my career in international cricket, I look forward to signing off my last season in domestic cricket at the conclusion of Indian Premier League season 9.

As a Kid from a small town Srirampur, I gave my up my career in engineering to pursue bowling.

My parents backed that decision and every decision since! My dad, I distinctly remember said, “Engineers toh bahut saaare hein tu bowlers’ ki ban na!”

I fondly remember my initial days, way back in 1996 at National Cricket Club at Cross Maidanto call up for Mumbai U-19 team. My crucial months of training at the MRF Pace foundation. My debut with Baroda in the Ranji Trophy to going on to leading Mumbai. I have cherished every game. Each game was an opportunity that allowed me to express myself freely in the best way I could-on the cricket field, always trying to improve as a player.

Leading up to my debut for India in 2000and beyond. I got crucial opportunities, with People backing me at different and difficult stages and I was able to contribute to Indian cricket and learn many things along the way. I was able to try out different ideas while playing because of the unconditional support I received from my Captains and Coaches, who trusted and supported me in settings fields or trying different approach or tactic that was loaded with risk.

My greatest cricketing moment was lifting the world cup as a part of the team India and creating history. We played as a top team and being part of the journey of India as a top ODI side was very fulfilling. Asa young fast bowler who grew up watching the legends of the game, I remember the satisfaction and joy to win a test match for India. Winning ways are addictive and I thoroughly enjoyed sporting the whites for India as we emerged as the No.1 test playing nation in the world.

For those who supported me, especially in the BCCI, Baroda Cricket Association and Mumbai Cricket Association, I am grateful for the encouragement. It has been a privilege to be a part various teams during my career including the Indians cricket team, Baroda, Mumbai, Worcestershire (critical to my comeback in the national team in 2007), Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils. Today, I have many individuals to thank-from physios, trainers, support staff, colleagues, Captains, coaches, selectors, senior officials, administrators in various Associations, groundsmen, Team management and also team owners. Kindly pardon me for my inability to name each one of you but that does not take away from the deep sense of gratitude I have for your support in allowing me to live my dream.

My colleagues, who I shared dressing room pranks have, over the years, become some of my closest friends. It has been a pleasure to play alongside them as each added a different perspective. I have enjoyed listening to them as also contributing in a small was y to their growth.

My family has been patiently watching from the sidelines by they always been central to my life. I can’t thank my parents enough for understanding me and allowing me to chase my dream. My elder brother Zeeshan, who dutifully reminded me that, ’my job wasn’t finished with my India debut, but I needed to make every game count’. My younger brother, Anees, has shouldered a lot of pressure which allowed me the freedom to enjoy on the cricket field. He’s never watched me play live, but his encouragement has been a significant part of my life.

To those millions of fans and well-wishers of Indian cricket who’ve watched and encouraged me over the years, I trust you that I was always trying and never gave up.

I thank the member of media for the many words of appreciation and constructive criticism during the course of my career.

Cricket has been my only life over the past two decades and is in fact that he only thing I know well. Cricket has made me the individual I am, giving me everything I life and much more. I walk away with fantastic memories, life defining experiences and great friendships, my mother summarised it well in reaction to my decision to retire, Thik hai, bahut acha safarthahamara…

‘Zak is Back” is perhaps a headline that may come my way again, as I have every intention of giving back to this game and wonderful country which gave this kid from Srirampur the opportunity to chase and live his dream!