Tatenda Taibu Announces Retirement

Tatenda Taibu Announces Retirement

Tatenda Taibu served Zimbabwe with distinction from 2004 to 2011

©REUTERS / Action Images

Former Zimbabwe captain and wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 29 to take up a ministerial post.

Taibu made history in 2004 when at the age of 20, he became the youngest ever Test captain but he has now opted to take on a role with the church.

"I just feel that my true calling now lies in doing the Lord’s work and although I am fortunate and proud to have played for my country, the time has come for me to put my entire focus on that part of my life," Taibu said.

Taibu made his first-class debut at 16, his internaational debut came in 2001 at the age of 18 and in April 2004, following an exodus of experienced players, he was appointed captain.

In all, he played 28 Tests, 149 One-Day Internationals and 17 Twenty20 Internationals for Zimbabwe as well as an ODI for the African XI.

A versatile cricketer, on occasion he played as a specialist batsman and even took a Test wicket in 2004 and two ODI wickets in the same year.

He scored 6,804 first-class runs at 38.22 and was part of the Zimbabwe team that beat Australia in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa.

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