England's Kevin Pietersen tweeted two lines on Friday night (IST) that hint at his retirement from all forms of cricket.
England's Kevin Pietersen tweeted two lines on Friday night (IST) that hint at his retirement from all forms of cricket.
The batsman was sidelined by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2012 and again in 2014 after differences with the team management.
Incidentally, he is England's second-highest run scorer in all three formats. He was captain of the team for a short period when the team won 2010 World T20 title.
Since the fallout, he focused on playing the T20 matches in leagues including Indian Premier League, Australia's Big Bash, Caribbean Premier League, and now Pakistan Super League.
Pietersen tweeted: BOOTS UP! Thank you!
The words suggest this is the end of the road for the 37-year-old cricketer's professional career. He has been gradually bidding goodbyes to the tournaments, leagues had been part of over the years. South African by birth, the T20 specialist played his final professional match in England with Surrey mid-last year and bid farewell to the Big Bash with the Melbourne Stars in January.
In Pakistan Super League, Pietersen played for Quetta Gladiators. The batsman had posted a photo of him on Instagram in February, hugging his son before leaving to join the Quetta Gladiators in Dubai.
"Countless goodbyes to Jessica Taylor and my kids as a cricket player and this one this evening is the last one I'll ever have to do. I've hated every goodbye but also known it's work so just gotten on with it," Pietersen said, hinting that the end is near.
"The journey has been absolutely amazing and for the next three/four weeks I'll be a current professional and then it's chapter closed! Had my time and loved it but the endless goodbyes and travel need to calm down now."
After losing to Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets on Friday, Pietersen appears to be done with playing the game. If he is really retired, he might focus on commentary job and his conservation work with rhinos.
The batsman has guided Quetta to the finals of the first two PSL but last year didn't travel to Lahore last March for the title clash, citing security concerns by his family.
Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar has said that Pietersen had also expressed his unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the two play-off matches and final in Lahore and Karachi.
(With PTI Inputs)
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