“The BCCI appreciates Zaheer Khan’s outstanding service to Indian Cricket. He served Indian cricket with remarkable passion and commitment. Being a fast bowler in the Indian sub continent is challenging but he led the bowling attack with distinction and contributed significantly to the success of Indian cricket .I wish him all the best for the future,” BCCI President Shashank Manohar said.

Zaheer, who made his debut in 2000 against New Zeakand, played 200 ODIs and 92 Test matches in which he picked 282 and 311 wickets respectively. He has been the leading bowler of India in the last decade and has been a superb exponent of reverse swing.

In his signing off letter which he tweeted, he thanked his family, colleagues and billions of Indians who stood by him at every step. He wrote about his journey from being a kid in a small town named Shrirampur in Maharashtra to his greatest cricketing moment of lifting the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He also talked how his family supported his decision of opting to become a fast bowler instead of choosing to go for engineering.

Here is what he wrote in the end:

‘Zak is Back’ is perhaps a headline that may come my way again, as I have every intention of giving back to this game and our wonderful country which gave this kid from Shrirampur the opportunity to chase and live his dream!