The former Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel has decided to call it a day from all forms of the game as he has decided to put an end to his 15-year professional cricketing career. The pacer who was popularly known as ‘The Bharuch Express’ will now be a part of the upcoming T10 league, which is set to be held in Dubai this year. He will be seen playing for Rajputs team in the tournament. He wants to pursue a coaching career post-retirement.
Munaf played for India in 13 Tests and 70 One Day International games. His career was mostly deformed by injuries. He was also a part of three T20I games, all of them were played in the year 2011. His last international appearance also came in the same year. He has a total of 125 international wickets in his career.
Speaking to The Indian Express after his retirement, Munaf said, “There is no regret; after all the cricketers I played with have retired. Only Dhoni is left! Baki sab done ho chuke hain. So, there is no sadness as such. Sabka time khatam ho chuka hain, ghum hota jab saare khel rahe hote aur mein retire kar raha hota (everyone’s time is up; there will be sadness only if others are playing and only I had quit!).”
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Patel decided to hang his boots after having a discussion with his close friend Ismail Bhai of Matadar Cricket Club. He added that youngsters deserve chances in place of him and it will not be good if he keeps on playing. He’s also delighted to be a part of the World Cup winning squad in 2011.
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The pacer explained, “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. I was part of World Cup winning team in 2011; there can’t be a greater high than that.”
Coming to his IPL and domestic career, Munaf represented Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions in IPL and Baroda, Gujarat, Maharashtra state teams. He has scalped as many as 231 first-class wickets, 173 List A career scalps and 101 wickets in T20 cricket, 74 of them coming in IPL.
