Cricket

Shannon Gabriel, the towering West Indian fast bowler, has bid farewell to international cricket after a decade-long career. The 36-year-old, known for his fiery pace and intimidating presence, has played 59 Tests, 25 ODIs, and two T20Is for his country, claiming a total of 202 wickets.Gabriel's Test career was particularly impressive, where he utilized his height and strength to extract bounce and movement from even the most docile pitches. His best performance came against Sri Lanka in 2018, where he recorded match figures of 13 for 121, the fourth-best by a West Indian bowler.West Indies fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh compared Gabriel to Patrick Patterson and Ian Bishop, recognizing his ability to generate pace and bounce. By 2017, he had become a regular member of the team, contributing to famous victories such as the Headingley Test against England.However, Gabriel's career was not without its controversies. In 2019, he was banned for four ODIs for an alleged homophobic remark towards Joe Root. While he accepted the sanction and apologized, he later claimed that the incident was exaggerated.Despite his international retirement, Gabriel remains active in domestic cricket, representing Trinidad and Tobago and participating in the Abu Dhabi T10 earlier this year. He plans to continue playing for his country, club, and franchise teams around the world.Gabriel's retirement marks the end of an era for West Indies cricket. His pace, aggression, and passion will be missed by fans and teammates alike.

UAE Batter Muhammad Usman Retires from International CricketMuhammad Usman, the Lahore-born middle-order batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket after a six-year stint with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team. Usman represented UAE in 85 international matches, including 38 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 47 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).Usman made his T20I debut against the Netherlands in February 2016, followed by his ODI debut against Scotland a few months later. In his ODI career, he amassed 1008 runs at an average of 31.50, including one century and four half-centuries. In T20Is, he finished with 891 runs, with three fifties to his name.Usman played a pivotal role in UAE's Asia Cup campaign in 2016, where he emerged as the team's leading run-scorer with 176 runs in seven games. Prior to his international career, Usman played five first-class and 58 List-A matches in Pakistan.Expressing his gratitude, Usman said, "It has been an incredible journey with the UAE cricket team and the cricket board. I would like to thank everyone who played a role in my journey, including my teammates, coaches, and other support staff. I feel blessed and proud that I got the opportunity of representing UAE for 85 international matches.""I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life as I want to remain associated with the sport. I want to wish the UAE team and the players the very best in what is a very exciting time for the game in the country," he added.

Mohammad Amir, the enigmatic Pakistani fast bowler, has made a sensational U-turn on his international retirement, declaring his availability for selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Amir's last appearance for Pakistan was in a T20I against England in 2020, after which he abruptly announced his retirement from international cricket, citing mental torture.However, in a recent social media post, the 31-year-old Amir expressed his renewed desire to represent his country. "I still dream to play for Pakistan!" he wrote. "After positive discussions with the PCB, I feel that I am needed and can still contribute to the team. I am available to be considered for the upcoming T20 World Cup."Amir's decision comes after a successful stint in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he claimed 10 wickets in nine games for the Quetta Gladiators. His impressive performances have reignited hopes that he can still be a valuable asset to the Pakistani team.Amir's announcement follows a similar move by all-rounder Imad Wasim, who also reversed his retirement to make himself available for the T20 World Cup. The return of these experienced players is a major boost for Pakistan, who will be looking to make a strong impact in the tournament.Amir's return to international cricket is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he has faced, he remains committed to representing his country and contributing to its success. His experience and skill will be invaluable to Pakistan as they aim to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for the second time.