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NEW DELHI. — India’s finest left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday, saying he was not fit enough to deal with the rigours of the modern game.

“With immediate effect, I bid adieu to my career in international cricket,” Khan said in a statement, adding he will sign off from every format after the next edition of the Indian Premier League in April-May next year.

Khan, who turned 37 earlier this month, was India’s go-to new ball bowler at home and abroad despite being plagued by injuries throughout his career, which began in 2000.

“The toughest call in a cricketing career is when one has to walk away from the game itself. You almost want to push that few, extra miles but then the body, after nearly two decades, decides not to respond. As I was training for the upcoming season, it dawned on me that my shoulder may not last the rigours of bowling nearly 18 overs a day.” — AFP.