Double World Cup winner Yusuf Pathan formally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Friday, February 26, stating, “Time has come today for me to put a full stop to this innings of my life.”
The Baroda-born all-rounder last played an international match for the Indian cricket team in 2012, in a T20I in Johannesburg. Overall, the 38-year-old represented the country in 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is between 2007 and 2012.
A confident hitter of the bat in his heydays, Yusuf aggregated 810 runs and 33 wickets in ODIs whereas he registered 236 runs and 13 wickets in the shortest format of cricket. One of the biggest highlights of his career was his unbeaten 123 against New Zealand in Bangalore in 2010, helping India chased down a target of 316. He followed it up with a hundred versus South Africa in Centurion.
Yusuf Pathan’s impressive performances in the 2006/07 domestic season for Baroda earned him a call-up to the national team, and it wasn’t until the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup that the all-rounder made his debut.
He is also remembered for his 12-year stay in the Indian T20 League, where he aggregated 3204 runs, and bagged 42 wickets with team Rajasthan, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
Taking to Twitter, Pathan wrote, "I officially announce retirement from all forms of the game. I thank my family, friends, fans, team, and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love. I am sure you will continue to encourage me in future as well."
I thank my family, friends, fans, teams, coaches and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love.
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan)
Here’s how former players and fans responded to his announcement on Twitter.
Congratulations on a wonderful career, Yusuf. Wish you all the best in retirement.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Congratulations on a glorious career. Happy retirement and best wishes for the future.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)
You have been a champion player Lala. Bowlers use to fear bowling to you
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
WC winner, WT20 winner, and who can forget that 210* in record chase of 541 in Duleep trophy final. You can be mighty proud of what you've achieved Yusuf. All the best for the second innings.
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
Thanks very much Yusuf bhai for giving us evergreen cricket memories and made our childhood something special..Wishing you best wishes for your future endeavours..God bless bhai
— Joshua (@JoshJey16)
Will never forget what he did to the lethal South Africa bowling on a deadly South Africa pitch,in a pressure cooker situation in 5th ODI in Centurion,almost winning the match from improbable position! deserved to Play so much more for India! Big fan!
— AajKaAjay (@ajay36mittal)
I still remember you hitting 6 of the very first ball of the final match against Asif that was something which showed the face of the fearless Indian team which from there went on to achieve it all. Happy retirement legend. Best wishes for next phase of your life!
— Tejas S Mishra (@tejasmishra1997)
Feature image courtesy: AFP / DIBYANGSHU SARKAR
