Munaf Patel announces retirement from international cricket
India 2011 World Cup team member Munaf Patel announced his retirement from international cricket. The right arm fast bowler was once an integral part of Indian team and lift the World Cup trophy after 27 years. The 35-year old played his last match for the Men in Blue on September 16, 2011 in Cardiff.
The Gujarat born player made his international debut in 2006 against England in a Test match and ended his career with 13 Tests in which he took 35 wickets. While in One Day Internationals Munaf picked 86 wickets in 70 matches. He played only three T20I in which he managed to scalp four.
While talking to Indian Express, Munaf said there is 'no motivation' left inside him to continue playing cricket for the nation as he is not that much fit. He also remembered his golden memories of 2011 WC triumph.
The 35-year told The Indian Express, “There is no special reason, age ho chuka hai, fitness is not the same. Youngsters are there waiting for chances and it doesn't look nice if I keep hanging on. The main thing is there is no motivation left," Munaf told the Indian Express.
"I was part of World Cup winning team in 2011; there can't be a greater high than that," he added.
Munaf has also played in the Indian Premier League, he was the key member of Rajasthan Royal in the initial years but later he was bought by Gujarat Lions who were there to play only two seasons of the mega T20 tournament.
The right arm pacer will be next seen in T10 league alongside former Indian pacers Zaheer Khan RP Singh and Praveen Kumar.
