Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has made a shock announcement of retiring from the Test cricket in order to focus on the shorter formats of the game including the ODI and T20.
A statement by Amir said, “It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game. I, however, have decided to move away from the longer version so I can concentrate on white ball cricket.”
Amir said that it had not been an ‘easy decision to make’ adding that he had 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,” he added.
A source close to Amir said that the 27-year-old bowler wanted to keep himself fit and ready for the next year’s T20 World Cup competition.
Pakistan Cricket Board’s Managing Director Wasim Khan thanked him for his contributions to the country in Test matches. “Amir has been one of the most exciting and talented left-arm fast bowlers in Test cricket in recent times. He overcame adversity as a young cricketer and came back stronger not only as a cricketer but also as a better human being. His skill, on the field, and his personality will be missed in the dressing room in the longer format,” Wasim Khan was quoted by Pakistan’s Dawn news website.
Amir was last seen in action spearheading the Pakistani attack in the just-concluded World Cup cricket, where the Pakistani team’s performance was quite abysmal.
Amir made his Test debut at the age of 17 in Sri Lanka in 2009. Since then, he’s played , 36 matches for Pakistan picking 119 wickets. His best bowling figure— six for 44 — was against the West Indies in Kingston in April 2017 after his return to the international cricket following a five-year ban due to his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal.