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Fast Bowler Zaheer Khan To Quit All Cricket Except IPL

Fast Bowler Zaheer Khan To Quit All Cricket Except IPL

Zaheer Khan, 37, among India's most successful bowlers, has announced his retirement from international and first-class cricket. He will, however, continue to play in the IPL for one more season.

With 610 international wickets, Zaheer finishes as India's fourth-highest wicket-taker across formats. He has the second-highest wickets tally - 311 - for an India seamer in Tests, behind Kapil Dev's 434, but has largely been out of international one-dayers and test cricket for over a year.

I bid adieu to my career in international cricket. I look forward to signing off with IPL 9. #ZaksNewBeginningpic.twitter.com/FLpaokbLy1

— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) October 15, 2015

The 37-year-old left-arm paceman, was part of India's 50-over World Cup winning team in 2011, last played for the country in a test match in New Zealand in February last year.

"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," Zaheer said on his official Facebook page.

Zaheer played the first of his 92 tests against Bangladesh in 2000 and was heralded to be the future of Indian bowling after he bowled Steve Waugh out in the Champions Trophy of 2000. Though he bowled quick, he was constantly plagued by injuries and it took him nearly six years--with a fitter body and shorter runner-up--to establish himself as a reliable paceman who could lead India's pace attack.

He currently plays for the Delhi Daredevils. Team-mates and cricket officials were quick with their encomiums.

My go-to man. Perfect gentleman. Big Brother. And a legend in his own right. Good luck for your new innings @ImZaheer Wonderful to know u

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) October 15, 2015

An outstanding role model on & off field fr Indian cricket. @ImZaheer hs been one of the key reasons fr Indias success ovr last 15yrs! @bcci

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 15, 2015

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.