5 Players Who Made Their Debut Before 2003 But Are Still Playing International Cricket

The international pressures can get to even the best of players and despite them having a lot more years in international cricket, some players have opted to retire early. Families can also be a big factor in deciding retirement as sacrifices are a major part of cricket.

But, few players have still made it through the toughest of times, and are still looking to stay fit and play international cricket for the betterment of their country. Here are 5 players who made their debut before 2003 but are still playing international cricket.

5 Players Who Made Their Debut Before 2003 But Are Still Playing International Cricket:

Mohammad Hafeez:

The former Pakistan captain and batsman, Mohammad Hafeez is still playing T20 internationals for Pakistan and is well on the way to make it to the T20 Worldcup this year. The right-hander made his debut in tests and ODIs for his country in 2003 and still hasn’t announced his retirement at the age of 40.

Hafeez has been playing franchise cricket all around the world and the veteran batsmen have loads of experience in limited-overs cricket especially. He is one of the best timers of the cricket ball and he could very vital to Pakistan’s plans in the T20 Worldcup. He can be an attacking player as well and does serve with his part-time spin too.

Shoaib Malik:

Shoaib Malik captained his nation for a considerable period from 2007 to 2009 and he made his debut in ODI cricket way back in 1999 for Pakistan. He still hasn’t announced his retirement from international cricket and is looking to find a place in the T20 Worldcup squad this year.

Malik has played a lot of T20 cricket for various franchises and he is among the top scores in T20 formats. The 39-year-old has got immense experience and still is one of the fittest cricketers going around. He also is a wonderful fielder and he would very handy in the middle order with his finishing abilities. He is one of the finest players of the spinners and used his feet really well against them.

Fidel Edwards:

Fidel Edwards first came into the international scene in 2003 after Brian Lara looked at him in the nets and suggested the selectors try out him. He picked a fifer against India in his debut test and was looked to be an exciting future prospect with his consistent pace and unorthodox action.

However, he fell off the radar from the national team after 2012 and he signed up in Kolpak Deal with the county team Hampshire. He stayed in the UK for the next seven years and made himself available again for West Indies in the 2020 season. He is currently with the West Indies T20 squad and is likely to make it to the T20 Worldcup squad too.

James Anderson:

One of the premier swing bowlers in the world, James Anderson made his debut for England in international cricket with the ODI format in 2002. He was always among the wickets and he showed a lot of composure at a very young age. Anderson at 38 has still not announced his retirement from any format and is working on his fitness.

Anderson has been an important member of the England test team ever since his debut with his ability to swing both ways and outclass the batsmen. He holds the record for the most number of Test wickets by a fast bowler and also holds the record for the most wickets for England in ODIs. He is still remarkable when he gets a rhythm going and will be interesting to see him in the Test series against India on how he goes.

Chris Gayle:

Chris Gayle is by far, the best T20 batsman going around in the world with his staggering numbers around the world and he recently crossed the 14,000 run landmark in T20s which is an enormous effort. The big man started his career for West Indies in 1999 and still hasn’t announced his retirement from international cricket.

He has a big role to play in the West Indies T20 international squad at the number three position and he is still looking to work on his fitness at the age of 41. His phenomenal ball-striking abilities make him an automatic choice in the playing XI and the world is set to be entertained less if he retires.