Synopsis
Afghanistan pacer Shapoor Zadran has officially announced his retirement from international cricket after an illustrious career spanning over 10 years. Representing Afghanistan in 80 matches, Zadran leaves a significant legacy in the sport.Key Takeaways
- Shapoor Zadran retires after over 10 years in international cricket.
- He played 80 international matches for Afghanistan.
- Zadran took 43 wickets in ODIs and 37 wickets in T20Is.
- He was a key player in Afghanistan's first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup victory.
- Zadran aims to mentor the next generation of Afghan cricketers.
New Delhi, Jan 31 (NationPress) Afghanistan pacer Shapoor Zadran has declared his retirement from international cricket after a remarkable career that lasted over a decade.
Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed gratitude to Zadran for his significant contributions to the development of cricket in Afghanistan and extended good wishes for his future endeavors on X.
Zadran took part in 80 international matches, accumulating 43 wickets in ODIs and 37 wickets in T20Is, totaling 80 international scalps.
“Today marks a moment I never wished to confront, but it arrives for every athlete. After 22 years of dedication, sacrifice, and passion for cricket, I hereby announce my retirement from international cricket. This has been one of the most challenging choices of my life, as cricket has transcended mere sport for me; it has embodied my passion, identity, and purpose,” he stated in a post on Facebook.
“From a young age, I aspired to represent Afghanistan, and reflecting on my journey now, I feel honored to have contributed to elevating our nation's flag on the global stage,” he added.
“While I am stepping back from international cricket, my dedication to the game persists. If it is Allah's will, I will continue to support the upcoming generation of Afghan cricketers with my experience,” the post conveyed.
Zadran debuted internationally in 2009 and played his last international match in 2020 before announcing his retirement today.
The 37-year-old participated in three ICC Men's T20 World Cups and was a pivotal player in Afghanistan's inaugural victory at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2015, where he scored the winning runs against Scotland in Dunedin.
