Tag: Retirement

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.

Noor Ali Zadran, a veteran Afghanistan batter, has bid farewell to international cricket after a distinguished career spanning two Tests, 51 ODIs, and 23 T20Is. His journey began in 2009, and his final appearance was in the one-off Test against Ireland earlier this month.

Zadran’s ODI career saw him amass 1216 runs at an average of 24.81, while in T20Is, he accumulated 597 runs at an average of 27.13. His Test debut came against Sri Lanka in Colombo in February 2023, followed by the Ireland Test in Abu Dhabi, where he scored a total of 117 runs across four innings.

After a brief hiatus, Zadran was recalled to the Afghanistan side for the T20Is at the Asian Games in October 2023. He played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, scoring 51 and 39 respectively. The final against India ended in a no-result due to rain, with India claiming the gold medal as the higher-ranked team.

Zadran’s international debut came in Afghanistan’s first official ODI against Scotland in April 2009, where he opened the batting and scored a quickfire 45 off 28 balls. His T20I debut followed in February 2010, in Afghanistan’s second game in the format.

One of Zadran’s career highlights was his half-century against India at the T20 World Cup in 2010, Afghanistan’s maiden World Cup appearance. He also played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s victory over Zimbabwe in the first round of the T20 World Cup in 2016.

Zadran’s retirement marks the end of an era for Afghanistan cricket. He has been a consistent performer for his country, contributing significantly to their rise in international cricket. His experience and leadership will be missed by the team.