Scotland cricketer Hamza Tahir retires at just 28 – and launches grievance against Cricket Scotland over contract snub

Scottish cricketer Hamza Tahir will retire from international cricket with immediate effect after lodging a formal complaint against Cricket Scotland.

The bowler, who is only 28, told Mail Sport that playing for Scotland had been a “complete waste of time” and insisted he would “rather retire now than at 36 and endure another eight years of unfair treatment and biased decisions.” ‘ Against him.

Tahir made his Twenty20 debut for Scotland in 2018 and has made 49 appearances for his country in the one-day tournament. However, Cricket Scotland did not renew his contract in March this year, a decision he rejects.

Mail Sport has seen the letter of complaint sent by Tahir’s representatives to Cricket Scotland. It details statistics describing Tahir’s bowling form and ability, as well as the reasons given by Cricket Scotland for not renewing his contract.

“I have given a lot to the sport and I have given a lot to Cricket Scotland,” Tahir said. ‘Looking back, it was just a waste of time. I’ve worked hard, I’ve put in a lot of effort and it hasn’t been fairly rewarded. “It’s just a very toxic environment, and I don’t want to be a part of it.”

Tahir knows he could be accused of “bitterness” and anger at being excluded from a team that is beginning to make waves in international cricket. However, he believes that his statistics do not show a player who has had a bad streak. Rather, in 2023 he was plagued by injuries or simply did not play in many important competitions.

“It was March 25, five days before my contract was due to end, and I got a call from someone at Cricket Scotland, telling me they wouldn’t renew me,” he said.

Obviously I was hoping to continue playing for Scotland, because that’s all I know how to do, play cricket. Getting that call was hard. I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. I have played 49 international matches in those six years.

‘Looking back, it was a waste of time. In those six years I could have done something completely different. I know you should be grateful for the life you have, but being away from family, missing events, missing funerals, not being there when people passed away, it’s been difficult.’

Mail Sport understands that Tahir received a phone call and follow-up letter from Cricket Scotland, on April 3, to confirm agreement on the end of his contract. Due to the short notice period, all players affected by the termination of their contracts were required to receive a full two months’ notice.

Tahir was not the only player to have his contract waived in 2024. While Cricket Scotland awarded contracts to 14 men’s cricketers in 2023, only 12 were handed out in 2024.

It is understood this was the result of lengthy negotiations between the Scottish Cricketers’ Association (SCA) and players’ representatives, who reached an agreement with fewer contracts and more money for the players concerned.

In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Cricket Scotland said: “Hamza Tahir has been a great servant to the Scotland men’s national team and while the news of his international retirement is disappointing, we thank him for his service.”

‘Hamza has set out some of the performance-based reasons why his contract is not being renewed, and Cricket Scotland’s Performance department remains happy with their decision.

‘Cricket Scotland has a complaints procedure which provides a means to raise issues of concern. “We are currently carrying out an independent investigation into the matters raised and will respond accordingly to Hamza and his advisors.”