Islamabad, June 12, 2026: Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and India’s batting star Virat Kohli have led heartfelt tributes to New Zealand great Kane Williamson following his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a remarkable 16-year career.
Williamson’s retirement brings down the curtain on one of modern cricket’s most respected batting and leadership journeys, during which he earned widespread admiration for his consistency, calm temperament, and sportsmanship across all formats of the game.
Taking to social media platform X, Babar Azam paid tribute to Williamson’s influence and expressed gratitude for their encounters on the field.
“It was an honour to share the field with you. Every contest taught me something new. You leave the game better than you found it. Thank you for the standard you set, champ! Happy retirement,” Babar wrote.
Virat Kohli also shared an emotional message, reflecting on his long-standing rivalry and friendship with Williamson developed over years of high-intensity international cricket.
“From an opponent to a friend over the years. It’s been a pleasure watching you bat and compete against you over so many years. But more than that, I value our friendship and shared perspectives on the game and beyond,” Kohli wrote.
“I continue to cherish every time we speak or meet. Wishing you nothing but the best always, brother. You’ve done your bit, you deserve to enjoy it now and put your feet up. Well done mate — life’s only just begun,” he added.
Williamson retires as one of New Zealand’s greatest batters, having represented the Black Caps in 378 international matches across formats and scoring 19,346 runs. His record includes 48 centuries and six double centuries, making him New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in international cricket.
The 35-year-old made his international debut in 2010 and had already stepped away from T20 internationals in 2024 before confirming his full retirement from the game.
As captain from 2016 to 2024, Williamson guided New Zealand through one of their most successful eras, including two ICC World Cup finals, three semi-final appearances, and the historic ICC World Test Championship victory in 2021.
His retirement marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket, drawing tributes from across the global cricketing fraternity.
