Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has officially retired from international cricket, marking the conclusion of a career defined by both remarkable achievements and controversy. The 32-year-old, who had briefly returned to the national setup earlier this year for the ICC T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, announced his decision on Saturday.
“After careful consideration, I have taken the difficult decision to retire from international cricket,” Amir shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “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.”
This marks Amir’s second retirement from international cricket, having previously stepped away in December 2021 after being dropped from a tour to New Zealand. Despite his absence from the national team, Amir remained active in global franchise T20 leagues.
A Career of Highs and Lows
Amir’s on-field achievements were significant. Over a career spanning more than a decade, he played 36 Test matches, taking 119 wickets. In 61 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he claimed 81 wickets, while in 62 T20 Internationals, he grabbed 71 wickets.
However, his career was overshadowed by controversy. In 2010, Amir was banned from cricket for five years for his involvement in spot-fixing during a Test match against England. The scandal, which also implicated then-captain Salman Butt and fellow bowler Mohammad Asif, led to jail sentences for all three players in the United Kingdom.
Following his ban, Amir made a comeback to international cricket in 2016 and went on to represent Pakistan in all formats until his initial retirement in 2021.
Current Endeavors
Despite retiring from the international stage, Amir continues to play professional cricket and is currently participating in the T10 League in Sri Lanka.
As Amir steps away, his legacy remains a complex blend of prodigious talent and a stark cautionary tale. His departure leaves room for a new generation of cricketers to shape the future of Pakistan cricket.
