Mohammad Amir rejects Mohammad Hafeez’s proposal to take back international retirement

Before embarking on the tour to Australia, the newly appointed Director of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team, Mohammad Hafeez, held a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on November 28.

Among the host of topics Hafeez touched upon, one was that of left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir. Hafeez said that he reached out to the now-retired fast bowler and offered him to take back his retirement if he wished to play for Pakistan.

“I personally called Mohammad Amir and told him that if he wants to play for Pakistan, he is free to take back his retirement and get back in the system,” said Hafeez.

Hafeez added that he would have considered Amir for selection if he performed at the domestic level, but the left-arm seamer rejected his proposal hands down. “‘If you perform well, you will be selected in the Pakistan team. Once you come into the team, I assure you that you will be given equal opportunities like others.’

“However, he said that he has moved on in his life and his priorities have changed in life, which we have to respect. He said that he wants to play international leagues and does not want to go back to scratch [in domestic cricket],” said Hafeez.

Back in December 2020, Amir had announced his international retirement citing ‘mental torture’ by the team management. In a public fallout between Amir and the Pakistan Cricket Board, the seamer had given an interview on TV claiming that he was not wanted in the Pakistan team.

The 31-year-old has not played international cricket since then and has primarily plied his trade across domestic T20 leagues across the globe.

He burst onto the scene as a wiry 17-year-old quick who rattled the best batters in the world before getting embroiled in the infamous spot-fixing scandal which saw him get banned from cricket.

Amir made an international comeback in 2016 and was an integral part of Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy triumph.