South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen retires from international cricket

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.

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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 four Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is in which he scored 2,764 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 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.

Someone who is known for his towering sixes and game-changing knocks as a finisher in the T20 universe, the decision is hardly surprising as the hectic international calendar is taking a toll on physical and mental health of the players.

There has been multiple surveys that have pointed at this trend where barring India whose active male cricketers are not allowed to ply their trade in other leagues, top players from other countries would explore options of turning full-fledged freelancers.

"I look forward to spending more time with my family as this decision will allow me to do so."

Klaasen fondly remembered the friendships forged on a day when another white ball exponent Glenn Maxwell quit ODIs.

"I have made great friendships and relationships that I will treasure for life. Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people that changed my life, and to those people I can't say thank you enough. My road to wearing the Proteas shirt was different than most and there were certain coaches in my career that kept believing in me - to them I will always be grateful."

"To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career," he concluded.