Zaheer Khan took seven wickets in the previous IPL season at an average of 22 © IANS
Zaheer Khan has announced his retirement from all forms of international and competitive cricket and has said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 season will be his final competitive cricketing assignment. Zaheer is signed up with the Delhi Daredevils and in his previous season with the team he picked seven wickets at an impressive average of 22. Zaheer, once regarded India’s bowling spearhead saw a decline in his performances in the recent years with frequent injury taking a toll on his rhythm. His last international game was the drawn Test match at Wellington. ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan retires from international cricket with immediate effect
In his final Test Zaheer picked a fifer but it was not a very impressive bowling innings nonetheless as he conceded 170 runs in the spell and seemed fatigued in the middle overs onward. His last One-Day International (ODI) was further ago in 2012 against Sri Lanka where he took one wicket for 53 runs.
It started becoming clear that Zaheer was not inclined to prolonging his international career after he did not take up a contract with the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team for the ongoing 2015-16 season which is the pathway for players into the international game. Zaheer at 37 became aware that he did not have it in him for the rigours of international cricket anymore and made the expected decision.