Former England batsman and Quetta Gladiators' top-order batsman Kevin Pietersen on Monday announced that the PSL's 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 have always been difficult and he has done it for cricket, "but the one this evening is the last one I'll ever have to do".

"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 it’s 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 it’s 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 when a rift with former England captain Andrew Strauss effectively ended his international career.

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 last year's PSL final in Lahore, which ended in a one-sided loss for his team.

It is still unclear whether he will arrive in Pakistan for the play-offs if Quetta makes qualifies.