• Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi expressed their heartfelt wishes to James Anderson upon his retirement.

  • Anderson bid farewell to red-ball cricket following England's commanding victory over West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi extend heartfelt regards to James Anderson on his retirement
Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and James Anderson (Image Source: X)

James Anderson, the legendary fast bowler from England, bid farewell to red-ball cricket following England’s commanding victory over West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground, where he clinched four wickets in his final Test match. With a career spanning more than two decades, Anderson retires as the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket history, amassing a remarkable tally of 704 wickets, placing him third overall behind Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

James Anderson bids farewell to test cricket with a stellar legacy

Anderson’s retirement marks the end of an era in Test cricket. His skill, dedication, and longevity have set benchmarks that aspiring cricketers worldwide look up to. His ability to swing the ball both ways and his relentless accuracy have made him a nightmare for batters across generations. Anderson’s achievements extend beyond statistics, leaving an indelible mark on the game and inspiring countless young pacers worldwide. His departure left a void that will be felt across the cricketing world, underscoring his legacy as one of the finest fast bowlers to have graced the game.

Also READ: England great James Anderson reveals how Virat Kohli’s batting skills made him feel inferior

Tributes from Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi

In the aftermath of his retirement, tributes poured in from cricketing personalities globally. Babar Azam, Pakistan‘s white-ball captain, honored Anderson’s mastery, describing it as an honor to face his deliveries and hailing him as the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT). Shaheen Afridi, an experienced speedster in Pakistan’s cricket, highlighted Anderson’s role as a source of motivation for emerging pacers.

“It was a privilege to face your swing, Jimmy! The beautiful game will now miss one of its greatest. Your incredible service to the sport has been nothing short of remarkable. Huge respect for you, GOAT,” Babar wrote.

“Thank you for serving this sport for over 21 years James. You have been a source of motivation to many of us. Best of luck for your journey ahead,” Shaheen wrote.

Also READ: Salman Butt selects an ideal candidate to lead Pakistan across all three formats

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