Pacer Zaheer announces retirement from international cricket

Left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday.

The 37-year old pacer made the announcement on Thursday, ending his 14-year long international career. Zaheer made his India debut in 2000 and played his last game for India in 2014 at Wellington against New Zealand.

He is leaving the field after playing in 92 Tests and 200 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), picking up 282 and 311 wickets, respectively.

Zaheer was the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2011 World Cup along with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, claiming 21 wickets at 18.76.

“The BCCI appreciates Zaheer Khan’s outstanding service to Indian Cricket. He served Indian cricket with remarkable passion and commitment. Being a fast bowler in the Indian sub continent is challenging but he led the bowling attack with distinction and contributed significantly to the success of Indian cricket .I wish him all the best for the future,” Shashank Manohar, BCCI president said in a statement on Thursday.

“Zaheer will go down as one of the finest fast bowler in the history of Indian cricket. He has been the leader of Indian fast bowlers in the last decade or so and of the best exponent of reverse swing in the country. He has been an outstanding role model on and off the field for Indian cricket. Zaheer has been of the key reasons for IndiaÂ’s success over the last fifteen years. I congratulate him on his wonderful career, ” Anurag Thakur, BCCI secretary, said.