Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket in 2020, is expected to come out of retirement in the near future, according to reports.
At the time of his retirement, Amir had cited issues with the then-team management — led by Misbah-ul-Haq.
Reports claimed that the Pakistan team’s selection committee has contacted Amir’s manager and asked him to direct the cricketer to not make unnecessary statements in the media.
The cricketer has also got hints to play in this year’s ICC World Cup which is scheduled for October-November in India.
Amir had represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 50 T20Is. He last played an international match in 2020. The pacer was also part of the Pakistan team when they won ICC T20 World Cup 2009 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
His Champions Trophy 2017 final spell earned Pakistan their maiden title in an eight-team tournament.
In 2010, Amir, his new-ball partner Mohammad Asif and former Pakistan captain Salman Butt were banned from cricket for five years and handed jail sentences after the trio was found guilty of match-fixing during the Test series against England.
Amir, by far the youngest of the three, received widespread sympathy and he was granted a return to international cricket in 2016 when Najam Sethi — also the current defacto head of PCB — was in charge of cricket affairs in the country.
In 2020, Amir once again gave birth to controversy after he took sudden retirement from international cricket. In his statement, the cricketer accused the then-head coach Misbah and bowling coach Waqar Younis of doing favouritism.
The pacer had stated that he would take back his retirement only after the departure of Misbah and Waqar.
In the era of former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, Misbah and Waqar had to quit their jobs but Amir’s expected return couldn’t happen due to Raja’s tough stance and no-tolerance policy regarding fixers.
Published on: 26 Jul 2019
Mohammad Amir on Friday announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, but reaffirmed his commitment to playing white ball cricket for Pakistan.
In a statement shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Amir said: “It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game. I, however, have decided to move away from the longer version so I can concentrate on white ball cricket.”
The cricketer also shared a video on YouTube in which he explained his decision to the fans and cited the five-year gap in playing cricket due to the ban for spot-fixing as the main reason.
“Playing for Pakistan remains my ultimate desire and objective, and I will try my best to be in the best physical shape to contribute in the team’s upcoming challenges, including next year’s ICC T20 World Cup,” said the fast bowler — who earned praise for his performance in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2019 — in the statement.
The 27-year-old cricketer shared that he was considering retirement from the format “for some time”, adding that it “has not been an easy decision to make”.
“But with the ICC World Test Championship commencing shortly, and Pakistan boasting some very exciting young fast bowlers, it is appropriate that I call on my time in Test cricket so that the selectors can plan accordingly.
“I want to thank all my team-mates as well the opponents in red ball cricket. It has been a privilege to play with and against them. I am sure our paths will continue to cross in limited-overs cricket as all of us play and compete with the same vigour and determination.”
Amir also thanked the PCB for providing him “the opportunity to don the golden star on my chest”.
“I am grateful to my coaches who have groomed me at various stages of my career,” said the bowler.
Amir made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2009. He featured in 36 Tests, taking 119 wickets at an average of 30.47. His best bowling returns — six for 44 — were against the West Indies in Kingston in April 2017.
In a statement issued by the board, PCB Managing Director Wasim Khan said: “Amir has been one of the most exciting and talented left-arm fast bowlers in Test cricket in recent times. He overcame adversity as a young cricketer and came back stronger not only as a cricketer but also as a better human being.
“His skill, on the field, and his personality will be missed in the dressing room in the longer format. However, we respect his decision and look forward to him continuing to play an integral role in white ball cricket for Pakistan.”
