"After much thought and careful consideration I have advised Cricket Australia of my decision to retire from international Twenty20 cricket," Ponting said in a statement.
Cricket Australia said Ponting´s replacement as Twenty20 captain would not be announced until later in the year. But, Michael Clarke is expected to take the reins of the Twenty20 outfit, although a formal decision on Ponting´s successor has not yet been made.
"I have also spoken to [chairman of selectors] Andrew Hilditch, [coach] Tim Nielsen and [vice-captain] Michael Clarke and I feel this decision provides me the opportunity to prolong my Australian Test and one-day career, an opportunity I am extremely determined about," Ponting said in the statement.
"As I said after the fifth Test in London, I am hoping to continue playing Test cricket for as long as possible and retiring from the Twenty20 format gives me the best chance of doing this. I will now have set periods of rest throughout the Australian summer and while touring which I feel will be very beneficial."
Ponting will continue to fulfil his Indian Premier League contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders and will be available for Tasmania in the domestic Twenty20 competition. Ponting has played 17 Twenty20 internationals and the unbeaten 98 he scored in the first Twenty20 international remains the second-highest individual score in the format.
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