Five legends who may bow out of international cricket in 2021
The year 2020 witnessed many top cricketers announcing their retirement from International cricket especially of the Indian cricketers to pursue a career outside India. The COVID-19 outbreak also caused a few retirements due to the abandonment of many big competitions. 2021 might see the careers of many top cricketers ending as there will be a T20 World Cup played this year in India.
Here are the five players who could announce their retirement from international cricket in 2020
Shoaib Malik:
Shoaib Malik failed to make it to the Pakistan team at least in the T20 format in the past year. The all-rounder was a key member in the Pakistan set-up during their golden phase between 2016 and 2018. However, since the 2019 CWC, it has become tough for Malik to find a place in the squad. Hence, he could end up announcing retirement from international cricket in 2021 if he doesn’t find a place in the squad for the 2021 T20 CWC.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez (R) and Shoaib Malik (L)
Mohammad Nabi:
Mohammad Nabi surprised everyone when he announced retirement from Test cricket only after Afghanistan’s 3rd match in the format. With the increase in the talent pool back in Afghanistan, the all-rounder could be seen stepping out of international cricket and remain as an overseas player in the T20 leagues across the globe.
Mashrafe Mortaza:
Mashrafe Mortaza has been the most successful pacer for Bangladesh in limited-overs cricket and also their most successful captain ever. However, he is not a direct choice when it comes to selection and has been left out of the upcoming ODI series against West Indies at home. Hence, we could see a conclusion to his International career very soon with a farewell match.
Mohammad Hafeez:
Mohammad Hafeez is another Pakistan player who is in line to announce his retirement from international cricket. The all-rounder had a dream 2020 with the bat in the shorter format. It was probably the best Hafeez ever batted in T20 cricket but is already past 40 years. With the T20 World Cup set to be played in India this year, Hafeez could find himself at home in the sub-continent conditions and deliver for Pakistan one last time.
Chris Gayle:
Chris Gayle turned 40 in last September but was pretty active in IPL where he played match-winning knocks. However, there is no clarity over the future of his international career as he last played for West Indies in 2019. Gayle announced that he will retire after World Cup 2019 but extended his stay to the home series against India after the tournament but later said that his ODI and T20I careers were not done yet. Given the 2021 T20 CWC to be played in India, Gayle won’t get a better chance to retire from international cricket in a country where he earned superstar status.
