5 promising cricketers who could not extend their careers beyond the age of 30
While the game of cricket has witnessed a few players who played international cricket even after turning 40, there were a bunch of unfortunate players too, who, despite promising performances, could not extend their career beyond the age of 30, for reasons ranging from injuries, loss of form, to even a lifetime ban.
Here are 5 such promising players who were touted as long-term assets for their respective teams, but destiny had other plans.
Irfan Pathan
Baroda’s Irfan Pathan burst onto the international scene as a 19-year-old, and in only his second Test, he had Steve Waugh caught and Adam Gilchrist bowled with his yorkers. In 2004, he achieved exceptional records against Pakistan, taking 12 wickets in three Tests.
He was given the ICC Emerging Player of the Year award in 2004, and in 2005, he set a new record by claiming 21 wickets in two Tests against New Zealand. The feat he achieved next year cannot be forgotten by any cricket fan - a hat-trick in his very first over in a Test match in Karachi.
However, by 2009, loss of form, plus injuries, made his spot in the team very irregular. He made a comeback in 2012, but yet another injury meant his career was almost over. Irfan, once considered as India’s long-term bowling asset, was 28 when he last played for India.