- Spin bowler says enjoying for Scotland has been ‘a complete waste of time’ after profitable 49 caps since making his debut in 2018
- Tahir says he has suffered ‘unfair therapy and biased choices’ amid a ‘poisonous atmosphere’ inside Cricket Scotland
- 28-year-old factors to statistics which he feels show he has been harshly handled in being missed by the governing physique
- Cricket Scotland specific their disappointment over Tahir choice and demand they’re finishing up an impartial investigation into ‘problems with concern’
Scotland cricketer Hamza Tahir is to retire from worldwide cricket with rapid impact after launching a proper grievance in opposition to Cricket Scotland.
The bowler — who’s simply 28 years previous — informed Mail Sport that enjoying for Scotland had been a ‘whole waste of time’, and insisted he would ‘fairly retire now than at 36, and endure one other eight years of unfair therapy and biased choices’ in opposition to him.
Tahir made his Twenty20 debut for Scotland in 2018 and has received 49 caps for his nation throughout the one-day sport. Nevertheless, his contract was not renewed by Cricket Scotland in March this yr — a choice he disputes.
Mail Sport has seen the letter of grievance despatched by Tahir’s representatives to Cricket Scotland. It particulars statistics outlining Tahir’s type and bowling means — in addition to the explanations given by Cricket Scotland for not renewing his contract.
‘I’ve given a lot to the game and I’ve given a lot to Cricket Scotland,’ mentioned Tahir. ‘Trying again, it has simply been a waste of time. I’ve put in arduous yards, I’ve put in a lot effort and it has not been rewarded pretty. It’s only a very poisonous atmosphere, and never one which I need to be part of.’
Tahir is aware of he might get accused of ‘bitterness’ and anger at being ignored of a workforce that’s beginning to make waves in worldwide cricket. Nevertheless, he believes his statistics don’t present a participant who has had a run of dangerous type. Somewhat, he was both beset with accidents in 2023, or just didn’t play in lots of necessary competitions.
Tahir made 49 appearances throughout 5 years representing Scotland at Check and T20 degree
Tahir bowls in opposition to New Zealand throughout a Twenty20 worldwide at The Grange in 2022
Tahir has outlined a collection of grievances in opposition to what he calls a ‘poisonous’ Cricket Scotland
‘It was the twenty fifth of March, 5 days earlier than the top of my contract, and I acquired a name from somebody at Cricket Scotland, telling me I wouldn’t be getting it renewed,’ he mentioned.
‘I used to be clearly hoping to nonetheless play for Scotland, as a result of that’s all I do know actually, is to play cricket. Receiving that decision was powerful. I really feel like I haven’t achieved something. I’ve had 49 caps in these six years.
‘Trying again, it was a waste of time. In these six years, I might have accomplished one thing fully completely different. I do know you have to be grateful for the life that you’ve got, however being away from household, lacking out on occasions, lacking out on funerals, not being there when individuals have handed away, has been powerful.’
Mail Sport understands that Tahir acquired a telephone name and a follow-up letter from Cricket Scotland, on April 3, to verify the association relating to the top of his contract. Due to the quick discover interval, all gamers impacted by their contracts coming to an finish have been to be paid two months’ discover in full.
The Paisley-born spin bowler insists that enjoying for Scotland has been ‘a complete waste of time’
Tahir was not the one participant to have his contract relinquished in 2024. Whereas Cricket Scotland awarded contracts to 14 male cricketers in 2023, solely 12 have been handed out in 2024.
This, it’s understood, was on account of prolonged negotiations between the Scottish Cricketers Affiliation (SCA) and the gamers’ representatives, who settled for fewer contracts and more cash for the gamers involved.
In a press release launched on Tuesday afternoon, Cricket Scotland mentioned: ‘Hamza Tahir has been an incredible servant to the Scotland males’s nationwide workforce, and whereas the information of his worldwide retirement is disappointing, we thank him for his service.
Tahir shakes arms with Michael Rippon after Scotland’s 68-run defeat to the Black Caps
‘Hamza has outlined a few of the performance-based causes for his contract not being renewed, and Cricket Scotland’s Efficiency division stays happy with its choice.
‘Cricket Scotland has a grievance process in place which supplies means for problems with concern to be raised. We’re at present finishing up an impartial investigation into the issues raised and can reply accordingly to Hamza and his advisors.’
