Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has announced his retirement from international cricket, a decision that comes just one day after white-ball all-rounder Imad Wasim called time on his career. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed this on Saturday, marking the end of a career that has seen its fair share of highs and lows.
The End of an Era for Pakistan Cricket
Mohammad Amir’s retirement brings to an end a storied international career spanning over a decade. The fast bowler, who has been a central figure in Pakistan’s cricketing successes, especially in limited-overs formats, made this announcement following a challenging period for the Green Team. His decision to retire came shortly after the national team’s disappointing performance in the ICC T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated early. This was a crushing blow for the team and their supporters, considering Pakistan’s previous strong performance in global tournaments.
The PCB confirmed Amir’s retirement, revealing that the 32-year-old pacer had played in 36 Test matches, 61 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 62 T20 Internationals (T20Is) during his career. Over the course of these matches, Amir accumulated 271 international wickets and scored 1,179 runs, making significant contributions to Pakistan’s bowling attack across all formats.
A Legacy of Impact and Controversy
Amir made his international debut in June 2009, quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising fast bowlers in world cricket. He was instrumental in Pakistan’s victorious 2009 ICC T20 World Cup campaign and played a crucial role in their triumph in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. His pace, skill, and ability to deliver under pressure earned him the admiration of fans and cricket experts alike.
However, Amir’s career has been anything but straightforward. In 2010, he was involved in a high-profile spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan’s tour of England. Amir, alongside teammates Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, was found guilty of deliberately bowling no-balls as part of a match-fixing plot. The scandal rocked the cricketing world, leading to a five-year ban for Amir, who had to rebuild his career after his return in 2015.
His retirement announcement in 2020, citing “mental torture” by the PCB management, was yet another chapter in the tumultuous relationship Amir had with the cricketing board. Despite these challenges, Amir’s contributions to the Pakistan team remain significant, and he remains one of the most talented fast bowlers the country has produced.
The Announcement of Retirement
In his retirement statement, Amir reflected on his long and varied career. “It has been an honor to represent Pakistan in all three formats,” he said, acknowledging the challenges he faced along the way. He also noted that now is the right time for the next generation of players to step forward and elevate Pakistan cricket to greater heights.
Amir’s departure from the international scene leaves a gap in Pakistan’s pace attack. His departure follows a string of retirements and squad changes that have reshaped the team, and it remains to be seen how they will manage without him in the coming years.
“I know this is a difficult decision, but I feel this is the right time,” Amir explained, adding that he would be watching from the sidelines and cheering for the team’s future successes. “I would like to thank the PCB for always extending the much-needed support over the years, and I look forward to watching the team excel,” he added.
Imad Wasim’s Retirement
Amir’s retirement came just one day after Imad Wasim, the 35-year-old white-ball all-rounder, announced his own retirement from international cricket. Wasim’s decision to retire marks the end of another chapter for Pakistan cricket. He had been an integral part of the team’s middle-order and their spin bowling attack in limited-overs formats.
Wasim expressed his gratitude toward the PCB, saying that playing for Pakistan had been a “great journey” and the “fulfillment of a huge dream.” Like Amir, Wasim also thanked the PCB for its support and wished the national team success in the future. He said he looked forward to supporting Pakistan cricket from the sidelines and hoped to contribute to the team’s success in a different capacity.
A Look Back at Amir’s Career
Amir’s cricketing journey has been one of the most fascinating and dramatic in the sport. From his debut in 2009 to his rise as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, Amir’s impact on the game was undeniable. His career achievements include:
- 2009 ICC T20 World Cup: Amir’s performance in the final of the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup was a standout moment in his career, where he bowled the crucial last over that sealed Pakistan’s victory.
- 2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Amir was a key figure in Pakistan’s victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy, especially his match-winning performance in the final against India.
- Test, ODI, and T20I Career: Amir’s overall tally of 271 wickets is a testament to his skill and longevity in international cricket.
Despite his controversies, Amir’s achievements with the ball, his composure under pressure, and his ability to swing the ball both ways made him one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the world. His retirement marks the end of an era in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
Looking Ahead for Pakistan Cricket
As Amir exits international cricket, Pakistan faces the challenge of finding a successor who can fill his shoes in the fast bowling department. The team has a strong pool of young fast bowlers, but Amir’s experience and skill will be hard to replace. However, his retirement opens up opportunities for emerging players to make their mark and take Pakistan cricket forward.
In addition to Amir’s retirement, the overall performance of the national team in recent months has raised questions about the direction in which Pakistan cricket is headed. The early exit from the 2023 ICC T20 World Cup highlighted the need for strategic planning, player development, and improving team dynamics.
The PCB’s Response
In a statement, the PCB expressed its gratitude toward both Amir and Wasim for their years of service to Pakistan cricket. PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed thanked the two players for their contributions and wished them the best in their future endeavors. He also acknowledged the impact both players had on the game, highlighting their roles in some of Pakistan’s most memorable cricketing moments.
FAQs
- Why did Mohammad Amir retire from international cricket? Amir announced his retirement citing that it was the right time for the next generation to take over and elevate Pakistan cricket. He also expressed gratitude towards the PCB for its support throughout his career.
- What was Amir’s contribution to Pakistan cricket? Amir played a vital role in Pakistan’s victories in the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. He was known for his exceptional fast bowling skills and his ability to perform under pressure.
- What is Imad Wasim’s legacy in Pakistan cricket? Imad Wasim was an important all-rounder for Pakistan in limited-overs formats, contributing with both the bat and ball. His retirement marks the end of a significant era for the team.
- What challenges did Mohammad Amir face during his career? Amir faced several challenges during his career, including a five-year ban for his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal in 2010. He also publicly criticized the PCB for mental torture during his career.
- Who will replace Mohammad Amir in the Pakistan national team? While no one can directly replace Amir, there are several young fast bowlers in Pakistan who will be looking to fill the gap left by him in the national team.
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