New Zealand cricket legend Kane Williamson has officially announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in his career. The 35-year-old, who debuted in 2011 against Zimbabwe, has represented his country in 93 T20 matches, captaining the side in 75 of those games. Under his leadership, New Zealand reached the T20 World Cup final in 2021 and the semifinals in 2016 and 2022. Williamson expressed his gratitude for the memories and experiences, stating, “It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time.” He emphasized that the decision was made to provide clarity for the team as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Williamson, who scored 2,575 runs in T20 internationals with 18 half-centuries, will continue to play in the Test series against West Indies in December. New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink praised Williamson’s contributions, calling him a “world-class batsman” and a transformative leader. While Williamson has stepped away from T20s, he remains open to future opportunities in one-day internationals.
