The 25-year-old recently made his Test debut for England, playing against Bangladesh in October 2016.
Zafar has been with Surrey CCC since the age of eight, playing in every age group within the club system. He has successfully combined his cricketing career with academic endeavours. In 2011, he was part of the Surrey squad that won the Lord’s final, whilst still studying at Cambridge University, where he achieved a Double First in Politics, Philosophy and Sociology in 2013.
Over the next five years, his cricket career progressed as he earned International honours and he was capped by Surrey in 2014.
He made his One Day International debut for England in 2015 and was named in the Test squad that winter, but was ruled out by a freak hand injury sustained whilst fielding at Old Trafford late that season.
Shortly afterwards, he began a Master’s degree in history at Royal Holloway, University of London, which he completed with a Distinction at the end of last year, combining this work with a career for Surrey in all formats and Test cricket for England.
Zafar will be leaving cricket to pursue new challenges with the very best wishes of everyone associated with Surrey County Cricket Club.
Speaking today, Zafar Ansari said: “After seven years as a professional cricketer and almost two decades in total playing the game, I have decided to bring my cricket career to an end. This has been a very difficult decision to make and I have not made it lightly. I started playing for Surrey at the age of 8 and the club has been a hugely important part of my life since then. Surrey have always completely supported me and I am extremely grateful to the club for their backing over the years. It is, therefore, with great sadness that I say goodbye.
