Mohammad Amir, the Pakistan fast bowler, has today announced his retirement from Test cricket, althought the 27-year-old clarified that he still intends to play white-ball cricket for his country.
Amir made his debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2009, taking a wicket with just his sixth ball in Test cricket. After 36 Test matches, he retires with 119 wickets at an average of 30.47.
Amir’s Test career saw a six-year hiatus as he served a ban for spot-fixing, as well as a six-month jail sentence, shortly after he took a five-wicket haul as an 18-year-old in Pakistan’s victory over England at the Oval in 2010.
“It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game,” Amir 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.”
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Mohammad Amir took 17 wickets at the 2019 World Cup, finishing the tournament as Pakistan’s top wicket-taker[/caption]
“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.”
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“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.
“I also want to thank the PCB for providing me the opportunity to don the golden star on my chest. And, I am grateful to my coaches who have groomed me at various stages of my career.”
