Zimbabwean all-rounder Solomon Mire has announced his retirement from international cricket through an elaborate Instagram post. The decision, in all probability, has been made in the light of Zimbabwe Cricket”s suspension by the ICC owing to ZC”s inability to prevent government interference from meddling with its administration.
The twenty-nine-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder is the first Zimbabwean cricketer to officially announce his retirement from the international circuit, and with a host of other Zimbabwean cricketers such as Sikander Raza, Kyle Jarvis and Brendan Taylor venting their disappointment and agony over the entire issue on social media, many others are expected to join the exodus soon.
During his five-year-long international career, Mire appeared in 47 ODIs, 9 T20Is and 2 Test matches. His first breakthrough came in the form of a contract with BBL side Melbourne Renegades for the 2013/14 season of the Big Bash League, thanks to his impressive display in Australia’s Grade Cricket. Since making his international debut in 2014, however, he has blown hot and cold in Zimbabwean colours, having been able to average just a shade over 20 in ODIs and 31.62 in T20Is. The biggest highlight of his career has to be his match-winning ton (112) against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium in 2017, which helped his side hunt down a target of 317 with 14 balls to spare. Zimbabwe won the series 3-2.
Revealing that he informed his teammates and the support staff about his decision at the end of the Ireland tour, Mire wrote, “I informed the players and tech staff of my decision at the end of the recent tour and wanted to formally announce my decision to retire from Zimbabwe Cricket in all formats with immediate effect…It is unfortunate and untimely however to leave under the current circumstances that are out of my control but I have decided to take a step in a new direction.”
Making an honest assessment of his career, Mire added, “My short career has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, stops and starts, frustrations and joys but will be one I shall look upon and cherish for the once in a lifetime opportunity I was lucky enough to experience and for that I would like to express my gratitude.“
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0FTJ6fjTAf/
Mire has also acknowledged the support of and expressed his gratitude to each and every person who has helped him forge a career in cricket: “Also a special thanks to the fans. I can hardly believe that I had fans from across the world, I”m sure most were friends and to the ones I”ll never meet, thank you all so much”, he mentioned.
