Shannon Gabriel Retires from International Cricket

West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has announced his retirement from international cricket, concluding a 12-year career during which he played 86 matches for his country.

In an emotional post on Instagram, the 36-year-old reflected on his journey, stating, "For the past 12 years, I have devoted myself to playing international cricket for the West Indies. Competing at the highest level has brought me immense joy, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end."

Gabriel was most effective in the Test format, where he played 59 of his 86 international matches. He made his Test debut at Lord's in 2012 and quickly became a key figure in the West Indies' pace attack over the next decade. Gabriel took 166 wickets at an average of 32.21 in Tests, including six five-wicket hauls. His standout performance came in June 2018 against Sri Lanka, where he recorded the fourth-best match figures for a West Indian bowler—13 for 121. His last Test appearance was against India in Port of Spain last year.

Expressing his gratitude, Gabriel wrote, "I want to thank God for the countless blessings and opportunities that have come my way during my time with the West Indies. I'm also deeply grateful to the Cricket West Indies administrators, coaches, and staff members, whose hard work and support have been invaluable. Lastly, I extend my heartfelt thanks to my teammates and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey. You all have made my path to the top truly special."

Looking ahead, Gabriel plans to continue playing for Trinidad and Tobago, as well as for club and franchise teams around the world, with the same passion he has always shown.

While Gabriel's career featured many high points as a formidable West Indian fast bowler, he also faced some challenges. One notable low was his infamous dismissal in the 2017 Dominica Test against Pakistan, where he was bowled by Yasir Shah while attempting a slog sweep with just seven balls remaining to save the match. Additionally, in 2019, Gabriel was banned for four ODIs after using a homophobic slur during an on-field exchange with Joe Root in St Lucia.