Netherlands all-rounder Mudassar Bukhari has called time on his one-day and first class international career, though he remains available for T20s. The fast-bowling all-rounder has been a stalwart for the national side since his debut for nearly a decade, making his debut in 2007 against Canada in the Intercontinental Cup.
It was a memorable debut for Bukhari, hitting an unbeaten 66 in his first international innings and his first ball in international cricket, a well directed bouncer, yielding his first wicket. It took him three balls to claim his first ODI wicket a week later against the same opposition, and in the decade that followed he would claim a further 245 scalps across formats for the national side, overtaking Tim de Leede as the Netherlands' leading international wicket-taker.
Generally utilised as a powerful pinch-hitter down the order with a penchant for booming straight sixes, Bukhari's best List-A score for the Dutch nonetheless came as an opener, hitting 84 in a 167 run stand with Alexei Kervezee against Canada in the 2009 World Cup Qualifier. His 2192 runs for the Netherlands also puts him confortably in the top 20 runs-scorers, his 71 against Ireland in 2007 and quickfire 22 against South Africa in 2013 amongst his stand-out innings.
Since coming to the Netherlands at the age of 14, Bukhari has also had a long and distinguished career in Dutch domestic cricket, playing top-level cricket for HBS, VVV, ACC and Dosti - claiming his first national championship with the latter last year.
Bukhari's retiremement comes as something of a surprise, the 32-year old showing no sign of slowing down. His best T20 figures - 4 for 7 in 4 overs against the UAE - came only last February, and a month earlier he had recoded his best List A figures - 6 for 24 - against the same opposition. Possibly his most memorable outing for the Dutch was at the 2014 World T20, when his return of 3-12 in 3.4 overs against England - claiming the wickets of Alex Hales, Michael Lumb and Stewart Broad - saw him named man-of-the-match in the Netherlands' historic second win over England.
Even with a promising crop of young fast bowlers coming through, Bukhari's experience and contolled aggression will be missed by the Dutch. But now a father of two young daughters, Bukhari has decided the time is right to make way, and looks forward to spending more time with his family.
"I've enjoyed every second with the Dutch team", Bukhari said, "I want to thank everyone that supported me through the years. First and foremost my wife, who so often had to put up with long absences when I was on tour but I'd also like to thank the rest of my family, the board and the team, and also our opponents - who after all ensured I could play in so many great games."