KARACHI, Aug 15: Former Pakistan skipper Saeed Anwar announced his retirement from international and first class cricket on Friday.

“I enjoyed my cricket for Pakistan and after 15 years today I announce my retirement from international and first class cricket,” he told reporters.

The 34-year-old left hander, who became a devout Muslim and grew a beard after the death of his daughter two years ago, still holds the record for the highest score in one-day cricket.

He made 194 against India at Madras in 1997.

Anwar played 55 Tests and 247 one-day games for Pakistan.

Although Saeed managed to score a century and was Pakistan’s highest scorer during their first-round exit from this year’s World Cup in southern Africa, he was one of eight players dropped from the squad in a revamp of the team by cricket authorities.

“I am retiring on a high note but am disappointed. I could have played for two more years,” Saeed claimed.

“I made a pair in my first Test and never in my dreams imagined I would go that far after failing in my first Test.

“I played for Pakistan with pride and want to be remembered as a good and decent player,” said Saeed whose last Test appearance against Bangladesh in 2001 produced a century.

“No one leaves cricket as a happy man... but I think this was Allah Almighty’s will.”

A computer engineer by qualification, and a Wisden player of the year in 1997, will be remembered as a gracefully compelling player on the international stage who thrived on sheer timing and placements.

“Many people think that turning to religion has ended my cricket but this is not true and I kept a balance in both things,” he said.

Saeed said he was disappointed that he did not get the farewell he deserved after being dropped from the national squad over its abysmal showing in the World Cup, despite being the team’s top run getter and scoring a century against India, the eventual runner-up.

“I thought the selectors would give me a chance after the World Cup and I waited for two, three months but they decided otherwise,” he said.

Saeed said protesting Wasim’s captaincy in 1994, a fine imposed on him in a match-fixing case and losing the World Cup quarterfinal against India in 1996 were the main regrets in his career.

The classy lefthander was one of six players fined 100,000 rupees (around US$1,700) in a match-fixing inquiry in May 2000 for his refusal to appear before the enquiry committee.

Saeed said he would love to get coaching assignments to help Pakistan cricket and plans to do commentary in future.

Former national chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed described Saeed’s retirement a great loss for Pakistan cricket while claiming that the stylish lefthander was one of the finest batsmen to don green cap.

“Saeed no doubt will be sorely missed. He was without doubt one of the best batsmen to represent Pakistan who played with honour and distinction” declared Salahuddin.

Salahuddin said Pakistan cricket would find it mighty difficult to replace a player of Saeed’s stature and believed that the elegant lefthander could have played for a bit longer.

“It is going to be very difficult to replace Saeed. In my opinion he could have played for another two years” he said.

“Saeed Anwar was a great player and deserves highest accolades for a mervellous career and Pakistan Cricket Board pays him the greatest of tributes,” said PCB chief executive Ramiz Raja, a former captain and fellow opener.

“Saeed was a terrific player and gave a lot to Pakistan cricket. He was perhaps the most naturally gifted player that Pakistan ever had.”—Agencies