England's Kevin Pietersen announces end of cricketing career

England's star batsman Kevin Pietersen seems to have decided to end his professional cricket career after the Pakistan Super League's third edition, which will begin in Dubai on Thursday.

Pietersen, who will represent Quetta Gladiators in the PSL, posted a photo of him hugging his son before leaving to join the Gladiators in Dubai on Instagram.

“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 wrote.

The The right-handed batsman went on to add, "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."

"Cricket has been the best!" he added.

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.

Meanwhile, 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 next month.

Pietersen was sidelined by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2012 and again in 2014 after differences with the team management.