Bengaluru, Oct 15: Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, India's Test captain Virat Kohli, limited overs skipper MS Dhoni and several other current and former cricketers today joined to pay rich tributes to Zaheer Khan, who retired from international cricket on Thursday (October 15).
Full text of Zaheer's retirement speech
The 37-year-old Zaheer called it a day after playing at the international level for 14 years. India's best left-arm fast bowler accounted for over 600 international wickets since making debut in the year 2000. (Zaheer can be India's bowling coach: Laxman)
Zaheer, however, will be seen in action for one more year as he will be in Delhi Daredevils' colours in 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Zaheer played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is (17 wickets) for India. He made his Test and ODI debuts in 2000. In Test matches he had 311 wickets and bagged 282 in ODIs. He was the joint highest wicket-taker with Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (21 scalps) at ICC World Cup 2011 which India won at home.
World's number one fast bowler Dale Steyn of South Africa hailed Zaheer as 'king' in his Twitter tribute.
Here are some of the tweets from cricketers for Zaheer
Sachin Tendulkar
One of the coolest pace bowlers I know. He was a bowler who could 'out think' the batsman most of the times. Always up for a challenge (1/2)
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2015
I am sure he will do well as he begins a new chapter in his life. Wishing @ImZaheer all success in his retired life (2/2)
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2015
Congrats @ImZaheer on an outstanding career👏👏Was a pleasure playing with u.Will always cherish the gr8 time we had while playing for Ind☺👍
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 15, 2015
I am sure @ImZaheer will continue to contribute to Ind cricket especially in the development of young fast bowlers.#LEGEND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 15, 2015
Enjoyed every spell u've bowled whether it's from slips or on TV!Great competitor,super human & most importantly a great friend. Count...
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) October 15, 2015
Happy retirement @ImZaheer
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) October 15, 2015
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
Well done ZAK on a fantastic career.without U it wd hve been very difficult to achieve what the ICT did.most clever fast bowler I know
— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 15, 2015
Life has just started now,U still can and definitely will contribute a lot to Indian Cricket.wish U all the success
— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 15, 2015
Anil Kumble
Wonderful to have played with you Zak @ImZaheer great bowler great skill! Best wishes for the future.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) October 15, 2015
Amongst the top 3 Ind fast bowlers of all time & without doubt d best Ind left-arm seamer ever. Wish u an even better 2nd inngs #ZaheerKhan
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 15, 2015
Well done Zak bhai @ImZaheer on your fantastic career. You are a true role model for all the fast bowlers in the world.
— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) October 15, 2015
To a great fast bowler & an even greater person, I wish you luck in all future endeavours @ImZaheer bhai. You have inspired many like me.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 15, 2015
Harbhajan Singh
What a bowler mr khan and supper dildar yar. God bless you my brother. Love you zakiiiiiiiii @ImZaheer @BCCI https://t.co/DIjlt1rHHo
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) October 15, 2015
So long, Zaheer Khan. Thank you for all your brilliance on the cricket field. http://t.co/5fO0HvtLTv pic.twitter.com/Nl5HHjjowI
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 15, 2015
Congratulations @ImZaheer on a fantastic career. Great competitor, well respected. Enjoy the next phase.
— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) October 15, 2015
Congratulations to @ImZaheer on a fantastic international career! pic.twitter.com/IaY0f9WS8Y
— ICC (@ICC) October 15, 2015
Dale Steyn
Zak ur a king Bud! Loved playing with and against u! Congrats on a marvelous career, always a favorite of mine! https://t.co/8IbKguR718
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) October 15, 2015
Congrats @ImZaheer on an outstanding international career. Definitely 1 of most skilled bowlers I've played with and against. #legend
— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) October 15, 2015
Zak bhai you will go as one of the greats to have played this wonderful game. All the best for the future. Legend.
— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh) October 15, 2015
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