Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir – who spent three months in prison for spot fixing and was banned for five years – retires from Test cricket at 27
- Mohammad Amir was Pakistan’s leading wicket taker at the World Cup
- The fast bowler broke onto the scene in 2010 as an 18-year-old against England
- But he was found guilty of spot-fixing and was banned for five years
- Amir is still committed to playing white ball cricket for his country in the future
Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir has announced his retirement from Test cricket aged just 27.
The left-armer returned to Pakistan’s Test side in 2015 having served a five-year ban for his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal against England in 2010. Amir spent three months in prison from November 2011 for his role in the incident.
He was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker at the recent World Cup and is still committed to playing white-ball cricket for his country.
Mohammad Amir has called time on his test career to focus solely on white ball cricket
Amir famously broke on the scene at 18-years-old against England in 2010
But he was found guilty of spot-fixing by bowling deliberate no-balls in the same series
‘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 in a statement.
‘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 was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker at this year’s World Cup
‘I want to thank all my team-mates as well as 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.’
Amir was one of the brightest prospects in the game when his ban came in 2010 and he ends his career with just 36 Tests to his name.
In that time he took 119 wickets, including 24 in his last six Tests.
Pakistan Cricket Board managing director Wasim Khan said: ‘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.
‘However, we respect his decision and look forward to him continuing to play an integral role in white ball cricket for Pakistan.’