Colin Munro retires after T20 World Cup snub

New Zealand star batter retired from international cricket after being snubbed from the T20 World Cup squad on Friday.

The 37-year-old played his last international game back in 2020 against India. Since then he nursed hopes of staging a comeback, fueled by his stellar performances in franchise cricket.

“In spite of the hiatus, I clung to the possibility of a return based on my T20 exploits on the franchise circuit,” Munro stated in a release on Friday. “Now, with the unveiling of the Black Caps’ squad for the T20 World Cup, it’s the opportune moment to formally draw the curtain on that chapter.”

The left-hander made his debut against South Africa and made a 122 appearances for the Black Caps. His only Test appearance came against South Africa in 2013.

His blistering 47-ball century versus the West Indies at Mount Maunganui in 2018 etched a new benchmark for New Zealand’s fastest T20 century while securing the distinction of being the first player to notch up three T20I hundreds.

Moreover, his smashed a 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka at Auckland’s Eden Park in 2016.

Although his quest for T20 World Cup glory remains unfulfilled, Munro featured in New Zealand’s lineup during the gut-wrenching 2019 World Cup final loss against hosts England.