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Taibu returns to professional cricket at 35

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Taibu will debut for a Sri Lankan first-class side. © Getty

Tatenda Taibu, the former Zimbabwe captain, will return to professional cricket at the age of 35 when he will debut for the Baduraliya Sports Club, a Sri Lankan first-class side, later this month. He said the motivation behind his return was a conversation he had with his son.

"I have said many times that my life is not guided by emotion or well-set plans, but I believe I am led by a voice inside my heart which I cannot ignore," said Taibu, who now lives in the UK, was quoted as saying in a release. "My son Tatenda jnr also often asks how I used to play, now that he has taken a liking to the sport. He didn't really get the chance to see me as he was too young at the time. I have stayed extremely fit and healthy and feel I'm still one of the fittest cricketers around, so I thought maybe I can let him see for himself how I can perform."

At 21, the wicketkeeper-batsman, had become Test cricket's youngest-ever captain, in 2004. He, however, retired from all forms of the game in 2012 after a topsy-turvy career to focus on church work. Taibu had played 28 Tests, 150 One-Day Internationals and 17 T20Is for Zimbabwe.

Taibu returned in 2016 as player and coach for Hightown St Mary's CC, a club in the UK. He was then named convener of selectors in 2017 for the Zimbabwe national side. However, the three-run defeat to UAE along with Zimbabwe not qualifying for the World Cup 2019 had him sacked by the board along with head coach Heath Streak and skipper Graeme Cremer.

© Cricbuzz

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