Shoaib Akhtar pulls out of Sri Lanka Premier League

Shoaib Akhtar, the retired Pakistan fast bowler, has pulled out of the Sri Lanka Premier League, a domestic Twenty20 tournament in July-August, because of personal reasons.

"My parents are old and I want to spend time with them," he told ESPNcricinfo. "I also don't want to play or want to be on the ground anymore. I'm not even coming back for a job in cricket or anything, but if some youngster needs my help I'll visit from time to time to help them but no more of this game.

"I want to explore other parts of the world now. I played this game for 18 years and I don't want to spend another 18 years in that scenario anymore. I am going to be involved in charity work from now on."

Shoaib had announced his retirement from international cricket during the 2011 World Cup and his career ended on the bench as he watched Pakistan lose the semi-final to India. He had been drafted in for the Twenty20 tournament hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket along with other international players such as Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Herschelle Gibbs, Daniel Vettori and Kevin O'Brien.

The tournament is scheduled between July 19 and August 4.