Amir retires from Test cricket
Karachi, July 26
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir announced his retirement from Test matches with immediate effect, but reaffirmed his commitment to playing white-ball cricket. Amir, who was jailed in 2011 for his part in a spot-fixing scandal, featured in 36 Tests, taking 119 wickets at an average of 30.47. “It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game,” the 27-year-old, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2009, said in a statement. “I, however, have decided to move away from the longer version so I can concentrate on white-ball cricket. 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,” he added.
Jailed
Amir was one of three Pakistan players jailed in 2011 for his part in a spot-fixing scandal against England the previous year, when he was only 18. After serving three months in prison and a five-year ban from all forms of cricket, Amir returned to the Pakistan squad in January 2016. The left-arm bowler has since excelled in limited-overs cricket, helping Pakistan to the Champions Trophy title in 2017. Amir was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan in the recent ODI World Cup in England with 17 wickets but the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side finished fifth in the group stage and narrowly missed out on a semifinal spot. “It has not been an easy decision to make and I have been thinking about this for some time. 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,” Amir said today. “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,” he added. — Agencies
- 5/79 Mohammad Amir became the second-youngest to take a five-wicket in Test history at MCG in 2009. His best bowling figures — 6/44 — were against the West Indies in Kingston in April 2017
- 119 Wickets in 36 matches at an average of 30.47 for Amir in his Test career. His Test career was split into two parts. He made his debut as a 17-year-old in July 2009 and played 14 Tests, picking up 51 wickets at 29.09, before being banned for five years for his role in the Lord’s spot-fixing scandal. After his return in July 2016, he played 22 Tests, taking 68 wickets at 31.51
- 24 Wickets in six Tests at an average of 21.00 for Amir since the start of 2018. He was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker (17) in the 2019 ODI World Cup at an average of 21.05
- 7 TH Most overs in international cricket, across formats, among fast bowlers by Amir since his return in July 2016. Among Pakistan’s fast bowlers, he has bowled 419 overs more than Hasan Ali in second place
Unfulfilled promise
- Mat Wkts Avg 5-fors
- 36 119 30.47 4
