Noor Ali Zadran Retires from International Cricket, Ends Illustrious Decade-Long Career
Veteran Afghanistan batter Noor Ali Zadran has bid farewell to international cricket, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over a decade. The 35-year-old, known for his explosive batting, played his final match in the Test against Ireland at the Tolerance Oval last week.
Zadran’s international journey began in 2009 when he made his ODI debut against Scotland, scoring a blistering 45 off just 28 deliveries. He went on to represent Afghanistan in 51 ODIs, amassing 1,273 runs with 11 half-centuries.
In the T20I format, Zadran made his debut in 2010 and played 23 matches, scoring 456 runs. His most memorable innings came at the 2010 T20 World Cup against India, where he scored a crucial half-century in Afghanistan’s first-ever World Cup appearance.
Zadran’s Test debut came earlier this year against Sri Lanka. He received his maiden Test cap from his nephew and teammate Ibrahim Zadran. In his two Test matches, he scored 101 runs, including a half-century.
Throughout his career, Zadran was known for his aggressive batting style and ability to score runs quickly. He was a key member of the Afghanistan team that achieved Test status in 2018 and played a significant role in their rise in international cricket.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) paid tribute to Zadran’s contributions, stating, “Top-order batter @NoorAliZadran decided to call time on his international cricket. He has represented #AfghanAtalan in 2 Tests, 51 ODIs, and 23 T20Is and has scored 1930 runs with 11 fifties and a hundred to his name.”
Zadran’s retirement marks the end of an era for Afghanistan cricket. He was one of the pioneers of the team’s success and will be remembered as a legend of the sport in his country.
