LAHORE: Former England batsman and Quetta Gladiators’ top-order firepower Kevin Pietersen on Tuesday announced that the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) third edition would be his last stint as a professional cricketer. Pietersen posted a photo of him hugging his son before leaving to join the Gladiators in Dubai on Instagram, saying that goodbyes to his family had always been difficult and he had done it for cricket but the this one (PSL) would be the his last. “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 its work so just gotten on with it,” Pietersen said. “The journey has been absolutely amazing and for the next three/four weeks I’ll be a current professional and then its chapter closed! Had my time and loved it but the endless goodbyes and travel needs to calm down now. Cricket has been the best!” Pietersen said, concluding the post. Pietersen, who debuted for England in 2004, has had an illustrious career, complete with its ups and downs and its share of controversies. Averaging 40 in 37 T20 Internationals at a strike rate of 142, he last represented England in 2014 and rift with former England captain Andrew Strauss meant he was ruled out from international cricket. Pietersen has been playing international leagues ever since and has been engaged with the Gladiators since the first edition of PSL in 2018. He was among international players who refused to play the final of last season in Lahore, which later ended in a one-sided loss for his team. Published in Daily Times, February 21st 2018.