Abdur Rehman retires from international cricket

LAHORE: Former Pakistan left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who along with teammate Saeed Ajmal famously stunned England during a 3-0 defeat in 2012, announced his retirement from international cricket Wednesday.

The 38-year-old took 19 wickets and Ajmal finished with 24 when Pakistan whitewashed the then-world No 1 Test team in United Arab Emirates six years ago in one of the finest performances of his career.

However, Abdur Rehman said he was disheartened as of late after being ignored by national selectors.

“I am announcing retirement from international cricket with a heavy heart,” Abdur Rehman told media in Lahore.

“It was a tough decision but I have decided to call it a day.”

A wily spinner Abdur Rehman finished his 22 Test career just one short of a deserved hundred wicket mark, while he took 30 in 31 One-Dayers and eight wickets in 11 Twenty20 internationals.

His last Test was in Sri Lanka in 2014 before the selectors began picking younger players in his place to form a new team.

Abdur Rehman said dismantling the English batsmen in 2012 was his most memorable moment as a professional.

“The partnership with Saeed was really great and I can’t ever forget that England series when we clean swept them,” said Abdur Rehman.

“I played in World Cups, in T20s so am very grateful I managed all that,” said Abdur Rehman, who will continue playing first-class cricket in Pakistan.

“I’m sad I couldn’t get that 100th wicket, that would’ve really been something, but I’m still grateful for 99 wickets in 22 Tests. Very few left-arm spinners have that,” he added.

Abdur Rehman’s reputation was also briefly hit by a 12-week ban after failing a drugs test during a stint with Somerset just a few months after his brilliant bowling against England in 2012.