Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a career that was both celebrated and clouded by controversy. The announcement comes just months after Amir returned from a previous retirement to represent Pakistan in the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Amir, infamous for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, had been banned from cricket for five years and briefly jailed for his role. After serving his ban, he made a successful comeback in 2015 and was instrumental in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph over India in 2017.
In a heartfelt statement on social media, Amir wrote:
“After careful consideration, I have taken the difficult decision to retire from international cricket. These decisions are never easy but are inevitable. I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan Cricket to new heights!”He added, “Representing my country has been and always will be the greatest honour of my life. I sincerely thank the PCB, my family, friends, and fans for their continuous love and support.”
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Amir’s international career spanned 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is, during which he claimed 271 wickets and scored 1,179 runs. He was also part of Pakistan’s 2009 ICC T20 World Cup-winning squad.
The announcement comes just a day after all-rounder Imad Wasim also retired from international cricket. Both players had come out of retirement earlier this year following assurances of selection for key tours and the T20 World Cup, but neither found a consistent place in the squad.
Amir’s final match for Pakistan was during the T20 World Cup against Ireland in Lauderhill, USA, this June. His previous retirement in 2020 was driven by allegations of “mental torture” from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s management.
While Amir’s career had its ups and downs, his contributions to Pakistan cricket, especially in high-stakes matches, have left a lasting legacy.
