The 25 years old spin bowling all-rounder Zafar Ansari announced retirement on Wednesday. Zafar Ansari debuted against Bangladesh in Test on 28th October 2016 and played his last Test match against India on 17th November 2016. Ansari made his One Day International debut for England against Ireland on 8 May 2015. Just after the debut of approx 6 months, Zafar announced retirement at such a young age of 25.

Zafar Ansari said, "After seven years as a professional cricketer and almost two decades in total playing the game, I have decided to bring my cricket career to an end.This has been a very difficult decision to make and I have not made it lightly. It is…with great sadness that I say goodbye. Nevertheless, I have always been clear that when the time was right for me to move on I would, and that time has now come. While the timing may come as a surprise, I have always maintained that cricket was just one part of my life and that I have other ambitions that I want to fulfil."

Zafar Ansari further added, "With that in mind, I am now exploring another career, potentially in law, and to achieve this I have to begin the process now."

He secured a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Sociology from Cambridge University in 2013 and was awarded a Master’s degree in History by Royal Holloway, University of London last year.

Alec Stewart, director of cricket at Surrey said, “Zafar’s exceptionally tough but considered decision is one that we should all respect and understand. We wish Zafar the very best in whatever the future holds for him and he will always be welcomed back to the Kia Oval with open arms.”