Scotland cricketer Hamza Tahir retires at just 28 over contract snub

• Spin bowler says playing for Scotland has been ‘a total waste of time’ after winning 49 caps since making his debut in 2018
• Tahir says he has suffered ‘unfair treatment and biased decisions’ amid a ‘toxic environment’ within Cricket Scotland
• 28-year-old points to statistics which he feels prove he has been harshly treated in being overlooked by the governing body
• Cricket Scotland express their disappointment over Tahir decision and insist they are carrying out an independent investigation into ‘issues of concern’

Scotland cricketer Hamza Tahir is to retire from international cricket with immediate effect after launching a formal grievance against Cricket Scotland.

The bowler — who is just 28 years old — told Mail Sport that playing for Scotland had been a ‘total 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 won 49 caps for his country across the one-day game. However, his contract was not renewed by Cricket Scotland in March this year — a decision he disputes.

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

‘I’ve given so much to the sport and I’ve given so much to Cricket Scotland,’ said Tahir. ‘Looking back, it has just been a waste of time. I’ve put in hard yards, I’ve put in so much effort and it has not been rewarded fairly. It’s just a very toxic environment, and not one that I want to be a part of.’

Tahir knows he could get accused of ‘bitterness’ and anger at being left out of a team that is starting to make waves in international cricket. However, he believes his statistics do not show a player who has had a run of bad form. Rather, he was either beset with injuries in 2023, or simply did not play in many important competitions.

‘It was the 25th of March, five days before the end of my contract, and I got a call from someone at Cricket Scotland, telling me I wouldn’t be getting it renewed,’ he said.

‘I was obviously hoping to still play for Scotland, because that’s all I know really, is to play cricket. Receiving that call was tough. I feel like I haven’t achieved anything. I’ve had 49 caps 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 thankful for the life that you have, but being away from family, missing out on events, missing out on funerals, not being there when people have passed away, has been tough.’

Mail Sport understands that Tahir received a phone call and a follow-up letter from Cricket Scotland, on April 3, to confirm the arrangement regarding the end of his contract. Because of the short notice period, all players impacted by their contracts coming to an end were to be paid two months’ notice in full.

Tahir was not the only player to have his contract relinquished in 2024. While Cricket Scotland awarded contracts to 14 male cricketers in 2023, only 12 have been handed out in 2024.

This, it’s understood, was as a result of lengthy negotiations between the Scottish Cricketers Association (SCA) and the players’ representatives, who settled for fewer contracts and more money for the players concerned.

In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Cricket Scotland said: ‘Hamza Tahir has been a tremendous 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 outlined some of the performance-based reasons for his contract not being renewed, and Cricket Scotland’s Performance department remains satisfied with its decision.

‘Cricket Scotland has a grievance procedure in place which provides means for issues of concern to be raised. We are currently carrying out an independent investigation into the matters raised and will respond accordingly to Hamza and his advisors.’