Express Archive: Wasim Jaffer draws curtains on career spanning over two decades

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. (Source: AP)

Since making his first-class 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. (Source: Express photo by Ramesh Nair)

"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." (Source: Express photo by Kevin D'Souza)

"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," he added. (Source: Express photo by Kevin D'Souza)

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 to his name. (Source: Express Photo by Sandipan Chatterjee)

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, with 212 being his best. (Source: Express Photo by Prashant Nadkar)

"First of all, I would like to thank The Almighty Allah, who gave me the talent to play this beautiful game. "I'd like to also thank my family - my parents and brothers for encouraging me to pursue the sport as a profession and my wife, who left the cosy life of England to create a lovely home for our children and me," Jaffer said. (Source: Express photo by Kevin D'Souza)

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. (Source: Express Photo)

Jaffer, the first player to play in 150 Ranji Trophy matches, guided Mumbai to title wins in the 38th and 39th edition of the domestic tournament. He has also won two Ranji titles Vidarbha in the last three seasons. (Source: Express photo by Kevin D'Souza)