Yusuf Pathan announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Yusuf Pathan made his international debut against Pakistan in the finale of the inaugural edition of the T20I World Cup in 2007 and went on to be a regular face in the shortest format of the game. The swash-buckling all-rounder featured in 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is for India.

Yusuf Pathan on Friday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. (Twitter/iamyusufpathan)

Yusuf Pathan on Friday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 38-year-old took to Twitter to confirm the development and released a statement in this regard. Incidentally, Pathan's retirement comes on the same day as Vinay Kumar. The Karnataka pacer also announced his retirement from the sport earlier on Friday.

“I officially announce retirement from all forms of the game. I thank my family, friends, fans, team, and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love. I am sure you will continue to encourage me in future as well,” the 38-years-old all-rounder said in a post on Friday. 

I thank my family, friends, fans, teams, coaches and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love. #retirement pic.twitter.com/usOzxer9CE — Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) February 26, 2021

Pathan made his international debut against Pakistan in the finale of the inaugural edition of the T20I World Cup in 2007 and went on to be a regular face in the shortest format of the game.

The swashbuckling all-rounder, who had the ability to single-handedly take the game away from the opposition, went on to feature in 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is for India.   

India’s 2007 @T20WorldCup and 2011 @cricketworldcup winner Yusuf Pathan announces his retirement from all forms of cricket. pic.twitter.com/pxYgU13hrP — ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2021

Pathan played for Baroda in domestic cricket throughout his career and kicked-off his Indian Premier League journey with Rajasthan Royals before switching to Kolkata Knight Riders. 

As @iamyusufpathan - a member of #TeamIndia's 2007 World T20 & 2011 World Cup triumphs - retires from all forms of the game, we wish him all the best for the future.  pic.twitter.com/p5zdhGMT7z — BCCI (@BCCI) February 26, 2021

He made 174 appearances in the lucrative T20-league and his 37-ball century in the against Mumbai Indians in 2010 still stands as the second-fastest in the history of the tournament. The explosive all-rounder last featured in IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad back in 2019 but was not retained by the franchise for the previous edition played in UAE.