Hove, England: Former Pakistan legspinner Mushtaq Ahmed has retired from cricket because of his inability to recover from a persistent knee injury.

The 38-year-old Mushtaq, who played his last test in October 2003, made the decision after six seasons and three county championship titles with English side Sussex.

"This is a very hard decision for me to make, as I feel that I could possibly play one more year, but out of respect I would only do that if I felt 100 percent," Mushtaq said.

In 2003, Mushtaq became the first bowler in five years to take 100 wickets in an English season to help guide Sussex to its first ever county championship. He again got 100 wickets in 2006 and '07, with Sussex winning the title in both years, before a stint in the rebel Indian Cricket League this year.

"I am going to miss playing for the club greatly," Mushtaq said. "I am truly honored to have spent six wonderful years here. There are not enough words to express my gratitude to the club."

Mushtaq took 185 wickets in 52 tests for Pakistan between 1990 and 2003, with a best of 7-56 against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1995. He fared less well in one-day internationals, with 161 wickets in 144 matches.

He ends his career with a total 1,407 wickets, 598 of them for Sussex.