In December 2020, former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir announced his retirement from international cricket, citing “mental torture” at the hands of the team administration. However, after then-Chairman Ramiz Raja was fired in December 2022, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) saw a shift in leadership, and rumors of his comeback spread throughout the nation. Recently, Pakistan’s newly appointed team director, Mohammad Hafeez, who will lead the squad during the next three Test series in Australia, disclosed that he had discussed Amir’s future in a recent conversation.
“I called Mohammad Amir and told him to take his retirement back first if he wanted to play for Pakistan.” “Return to domestic cricket and give it your all.”Once your performances have been evaluated, you will be chosen by the selection committee. I assured him that he would have equal possibilities if he returned to Pakistan. He claimed to have moved on already. He feels that both his life and his priorities have altered. And we have to honor his choice,” the Hindustan Times cited Hafeez as adding.
Mohammad Hafeez went on to say that Mohammad Amir would like to play in international leagues rather than start over from scratch.
“He informed me that competing in international leagues makes him feel better. He is not interested in starting over. We must respect his decision as it is his,” he continued.
August 2020 was when Muhammad Amir last competed for Pakistan.
Notably, Amir made his debut for his country in a T20I match against England in 2009 and gained notoriety for his ability to swing the ball in both directions. However, his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing incident in England nearly put his career in jeopardy and resulted in a five-year ban.
With his outstanding new ball session in the Champions Trophy final, where he claimed significant wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan, Amir made a stunning comeback in 2017.
With 17 wickets from eight matches, he also concluded as Pakistan’s top wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup. In August 2020, he played his last T20I match for Pakistan against England. In 36 Tests and 61 ODIs, the 31-year-old claimed 119 and 81 wickets, respectively. In 50 Twenty20 Internationals, the left-arm seamer claimed 59 wickets as well.
India
