Pak pacer Mohammad Amir announces retirement from international cricket
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Karachi: Pakistan's left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, known for his talent and controversies, announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, just months after returning to the national team for the T20 World Cup.
Amir, who had been banned from cricket for five years between 2010 and 2015 due to a spot-fixing scandal, had previously retired from international cricket in 2020. However, earlier this year, he reversed his decision and rejoined the team for the T20 World Cup.
Announcing his decision on social media, Amir explained that retiring from international cricket was difficult but necessary. He said it was the right time for the next generation to take charge and elevate Pakistan cricket to new heights.
He expressed his gratitude, emphasizing that representing his country had been the greatest honor of his life. Amir also thanked the PCB, his family, friends, and fans for their continuous love and support throughout his career.
Amir’s cricketing journey has been marked by highs and lows. His career hit a major setback in 2010 when he, along with fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif and then-captain Salman Butt, was involved in a spot-fixing scandal during a series in England. At the age of 19, Amir deliberately bowled no-balls as part of the conspiracy. All three players were sentenced to brief jail terms in the UK, where fixing is a criminal offense.
The ICC imposed a five-year ban on the trio. Amir, however, made a remarkable return to international cricket in 2016 and played a pivotal role in Pakistan's victory against India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final.
Throughout his career, Amir represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is, taking 271 international wickets and scoring 1,179 runs across all formats. He was also part of Pakistan's squad that won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2009.
Amir’s final appearance in international cricket came in June this year during the T20 World Cup against Ireland in Lauderhill, USA. Despite his recent comeback, Amir has not been selected for national matches since the tournament.
His announcement follows a similar decision by all-rounder Imad Wasim, who also retired from international cricket a day earlier. Both Amir and Wasim had returned to the national setup earlier this year after being assured by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of selection for key tours, including the World T20 Cup. However, their expectations of being consistently included in the team were not fulfilled.
Amir’s earlier retirement in 2020 was also contentious, as he alleged that he had been "mentally tortured" by the PCB’s management. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Amir's contributions to Pakistan cricket remain significant, particularly his performances in high-stakes matches.
As he steps away from international cricket, Amir leaves behind a legacy of raw talent, resilience, and a career that oscillates between brilliance and controversy.
With PTI inputs