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Tatenda Taibu retires from cricket at 29, to serve God. posted under: Zimbabwe | All news |
 Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Taibu, the world’s youngest cricket captain at one point, stated on Monday that he would be retiring from the game for good, to pursue religion.
The wicket-keeper batsman said that he has decided to work for his local church instead of continuing in the glories of the game and the profession which made him rise to the top of the world in fame.
Taibu has been living in a cheap humblehouse, part of which he rents out. In an official statement released by Zimbabwe Cricket, Taibu has stated: “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.”
He spoke to local media about his search for salvation which he is still to attain, and was quoted saying:
“I have achieved everything in life my brother and one thing that I am trying to achieve is the salvation of my soul. I was the first black captain in the country. The youngest Test captain in the history of the sport and also the first local player to score two century against South Africa, but that was not enough.
“I realized that I had to find satisfaction somewhere else and I am happy I have found it in God. Through him the sky is the limit for me and my family.
“When I was growing up I used to think that success meant having money, a good wife and family, but that is wrong,” he added.
When he was asked if this meant discarding the television, sealing the swimming pool and leasing part of the house, he was quick to respond, quoting Matthew 6 verses 19 and 20, which read: “Do not store up yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy. …..But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy…”
“We decided to do away with those things as they were taking away too much of our time to worship God. Our new faith does not allow us to watch television. Television also takes away one’s time to worship God and besides, there is too much nudity on television. Furthermore, there are no more holidays for the family,” he said.
“I just feel that my true calling now lies in doing the Lord’s work,” Taibu said, “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.”
The 29-year-old rose to fame when he was just 18. The decision ends an 11-year-long international career, during which he became the youngest Test captain in history.
Taibu has played 28 Tests and 150 ODIs for Zimbabwe and the decision came after he was named in Zimbabwe’s provisional squad for the World Twenty20 in September. |
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