Pietersen calls time on playing career

SHARJAH: Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen brought the curtain down on his playing career on Saturday in a series of messages on social media after deciding not to travel with Quetta Gladiators to Lahore for their Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoff.

Pietersen played 104 Tests for England after making his debut against Australia at Lord’s in 2005. He scored 8,181 runs at an average of 47.28 and struck 23 centuries and 35 fifties.

Pietersen also played 136 One-day Internationals — scoring almost 4,500 runs with nine centuries and 25 fifties.

“Boots up! Feet up! Family, animals, golf! H O M E,” the swashbuckling batsman tweeted on Saturday.

Gladiators are due to face Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore on Tuesday.

In a video on the Gladiators’ Twitter feed, Pietersen said: “It is with a very hardened heart, a very sorry heart, that I have to leave Dubai, going back to London now.

“I wish I could travel but unfortunately family’s very important, family decision, and I hope that you can respect my decision and my family’s decision not to travel.”

The Gladiators tweeted: “You will be missed @KP24 Great career!! Thank you for everything. Wish you could (have) stayed with us till PSL final but we respect your decision.”