At 42, Jaffer quits after 24 seasons

Wasim Jaffer leaves the scene as the only batsman to score 12,000 runs in Ranji Trophy and he also has the highest number of first-class hundreds to his name.

Mumbai, March 7: Former India opener Wasim Jaffer on Saturday announced retirement from all forms of cricket after amassing a mountain of runs in a glorious first-class career that spanned almost a quarter century.

Since making his firstclass debut in 1996/97, the 42-year-old became the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy, besides scoring close to 2000 runs with five centuries in Test cricket. “After all these years in cricket, it is time to move on. But just like the red ball format which is very dear to me, it's the end of only the first innings,” Jaffer said in a statement. “I am looking forward to the second innings in any capacity, be it in coaching, commentary etc., as long as I stay involved with the game as this game has given me so much.” He remembered those who helped him shape his career, his life.

“A special thanks to all my coaches, right from my

● school days to professional cricket, for helping me polish my skills. A heartfelt thanks to the selectors who showed faith in me.” The Mumbaikar leaves the scene as the only batsman to score 12,000 runs in Ranji Trophy and he also has the highest number of first-class hundreds. Internationally, Jaffer played 31 Tests, scoring 1,944 runs at an average of 34.11. Besides five tons, he has 11 fifties in the highest format of the game. The veteran, who made his Test debut against South Africa in 2000, is one of the few Indian batsmen to have scored a double hundred in the West Indies. —PTI