Islamabad: Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul on Friday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
The 36-year-old Gul took the decision, after his domestic side - Balochistan - were knocked out of the National T20 Cup by Southern Punjab. He was given a guard of honour by both sets of players.
''With a very heavy heart and after a lot of thinking, I have decided to bid farewell to all formats of cricket after this National T20 Cup. I have always played for Pakistan with all my heart and 100 percent of hard work. Cricket is and will always be my love and passion but all good things have to come to an end,'' Gul wrote on his Twitter handle.
''Praying that the future will hold much more for me. Secondly, I would like to thank @TheRealPCB and all the coaches and people who have been a part of my cricketing journey. Special thanks to media, my fans and followers who made it all worthwhile n supported me at all times,'' he added.
Gul made his debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in an ODI match at Sharjah in April 2003 and went on to play 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is till September 2016.
From 47 Test matches, Gul took 163 wickets at an average of 34.06. He also claimed 179 wickets from 130 ODIs, besides 85 wickets from 60 T20Is. He is 13th on the list of most wickets in the longest format for Pakistan and 10th highest in ODIs.
He was instrumental in Pakistan's success at the first two T20 World Cups in 2007 and 2009, where they finished runners' up and champions respectively. In 2007, he topped the bowling charts with 13 scalps, and then repeated the feat two years later with the same tally.(UNI)