Zimbabwe all-rounder Solomon Mire announces retirement from international cricket

Solomon Mire played 47 ODIs, 9 T20Is and 2 Tests for Zimbabwe, scoring 995, 253 and 78 runs respectively

Days after Zimbabwe Cricket got suspended from the International Cricket Council (ICC), all-rounder Solomon Mire decided to call time on his international career. Amid all the turmoil, Mire took to his official Instagram to announce his international retirement, accepting that his decision to bid adieu to the game was untimely. Mire’s social media post read, “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.” Here’s the Post:

 

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It has been a week of emotional highs and lows in sport and sadly not a good one for Zimbabwe Cricket but just wanted to officially address everyone else. 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. Representing my country at the highest level for me has been the highest honour and service i could ever give and I have been extremely privileged to have been afforded the opportunity. 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. I would like to thank my family across the world who supported me throughout the journey,my team mates, I’ll miss the trips with them, all my coaches who worked with me in one way or another, my close friends for the endless support, my mentors and roles models and anyone who pushed me and challenged me to be a better cricketer or afforded me an opportunity to train and improve . I’ll make a special mention to Midwest Rhinos, Kadoma CC,College CC, Carlton CC, Essendon CC, Tracy Village CC, Waratah CC and last but not least Northcote CC, these clubs were a big part of my journey to international cricket without forgetting the relevant parent associations. Also a big thank you to the sponsors, I couldn’t have done it without you. A special mention to Crusaders, RNS, Icon , Premgripp , Cheetah Recovery and last but not least SG . 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. I am sure I have missed a few people but I’ll try my best to get in touch personally. I can say without a doubt that sport and in particular international cricket will always be my biggest lesson in life. Ever

A post shared by Solomon Mire (@sol_mire) on Jul 18, 2019 at 8:12pm PDT

Mire made his debut in 2014 against Bangladesh in Chittagong ODI. He went on to represent Zimbabwe in 47 ODIs, 9 T20Is and 2 Tests, scoring 995, 253 and 78 runs respectively. He also scalped 12 wickets in ODIs and one wicket each in Tests and T20Is. Earlier, on July 18, the ICC suspended Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect violation of global body's constitution which doesn't allow any government intervention. The current elected members of Zimbabwe board were suspended by government agency Sports and Recreation Committee (SRC) which was a violation of articles 2.4 (c) and d. “Zimbabwe Cricket has been suspended with immediate effect. The ICC Board unanimously decided that Zimbabwe Cricket, an ICC Full Member, is in breach of Article 2.4 (c) and (d) of the ICC Constitution which imposes an obligation on Members to provide a process for free and democratic elections and to ensure that there is no government interference in its governance and/or administration for cricket respectively,” the ICC said in a statement