Heinrich Klaasen Announces Retirement from International Cricket

Cape Town: South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen on Monday announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect as he aims to strike a work-life balance, prioritising his commitments in franchise leagues across the globe.

The 33-year-old Klaasen had announced his retirement from Test cricket in January last year and has now also decided to quit the white ball formats having represented the Proteas in 4 Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is in which he scored 2764 runs.

“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket. It took me a long time to decide what’s best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with,” Klaasen announced on his Instagram.

One of the most sought-after batters in the T20 leagues, Klaasen had recently represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and scored a ton in the concluding league game. His next assignment will be Major League Cricket in the United States for Seattle Orcas later this month.

Klaasen, who played in the T20 World Cup final against India, termed playing for the national team as his “biggest privilege”.

“From the first day, it was the biggest privilege representing my country and it was everything that I have worked for and dreamed about as a young boy,” Klaasen said in his emotional statement.