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England all-rounder Ansari quits cricket at 25 to become a lawyer

Zafar Ansari played one Test for England last year but has quit cricket aged 25
Zafar Ansari played one Test for England last year but has quit cricket aged 25

Surrey’s England all-rounder Zafar Ansari announced his retirement from cricket with immediate effect on Wednesday.

Ansari won one-day international honours for England in 2015 and made his Test debut against Bangladesh last October.

But the 25-year-old has shocked the cricket world by announcing his retirement “to pursue new challenges”, possibly in the legal world.

“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,” Ansari told the official Surrey club website.

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Ansari – who joined Surrey at the age of eight – said his decision had not been taken lightly.

“Surrey have always completely supported me and I am extremely grateful to the club for their backing over the years. It is, therefore, with great sadness that I say goodbye,” Ansari said.

“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.

Ansari ‘ambitions’

“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.

“With that in mind, I am now exploring another career, potentially in law, and to achieve this I have to begin the process now.

“I will look back extremely fondly on playing with some wonderful teams and having the opportunity to perform in front of the best crowds in county cricket at the Kia Oval.

Zafar Ansari played a Test against Bangladesh in October 2016
Zafar Ansari played a Test against Bangladesh in October 2016

“Equally, to have played three Test matches for England was a huge honour and it is something I will undoubtedly savour for the rest of my life.”

Berkshire-born Ansari played in every age group at Surrey and successfully combined his cricket career with academic studies at Cambridge University.

In 2011, he was part of the Surrey squad that won the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Lord’s and he was capped by the county three years later.

Ansari won his only England ODI cap against Ireland in May 2015 and was named in the Test squad to play Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates that winter.

He was ruled out by a freak hand injury sustained while fielding at Old Trafford late that season.

Ansari, however, played in three Test matches last autumn, twice in Bangladesh and once against India.

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart said: “Zafar’s exceptionally tough but considered decision is one that we should all respect and understand.

“To retire at such a young age when his cricket career was progressing very nicely, earning a Test debut against Bangladesh last winter, proves that he has given great thought in deciding to walk away from the professional game.

“He is one of our own, having come through our age group and academy system where he first played for the county at the age of eight.

“Throughout his time with Surrey he has represented the club with great pride and skill.

“He will be missed by all his Surrey team-mates, members and supporters and I speak on behalf of everyone in thanking him for his loyal service.”