England all-rounder Zafar Ansari bids adieu to cricket at 25

London [UK], Apr 26 (ANI): England all-rounder Zafar Ansari, who played three Tests and an ODI for the national team, has called curtains on his cricketing career at the age of 25. Ansari acknowledged that his decision might come across as a "surprise", while re-iterating comments he had made previously about having ambitions in life beyond cricket. The 25-year-old made his international debut for England in May 2015 and played two Tests during the tour of India last year. Ansari scored 49 runs and took five wickets in the three Tests he played while his only ODI appearance was against Ireland in 2015, a rained-out match in which he didn't bat or bowl. "With that in mind, I am now exploring another career, potentially in law, and to achieve this I have to begin the process now," ESPNcricinfo quoted him as saying. "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 played for Surrey in the county circuit. "This has been a very difficult decision to make and I have not made it lightly. I started playing for Surrey at the age of eight, and the club has been a hugely important part of my life since then," he said. "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," he added. The 25-year-old made his first-class debut for Cambridge University in 2011 against Essex. He subsequently developed into an all-rounder who impressed in the four-day game and, for a lengthy period, opened the batting in the County Championship. He finished with career-bests of 112 and 6 for 30 in first-class cricket. (ANI)