Mohammad Amir has announced that he is set to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect.
Amir, 27, picked up 119 wickets in his Test career and was noted, especially in his early career, for his ability to swing the ball.
The 27-year-old used those skills to good effect in picking up 19 wickets at an impressive average of 18.36 during Pakistan’s 2010 away Test series against England.
However, during that same series he infamously was imposed with a five-year ban for spot-fixing.
The subsequent ban ensured that many of his cricketing years were missed as he failed to make an international appearance between August 2010 and January 2016.
Since his return to the side in 2016 Amir has picked up 68 wickets for Pakistan in Test Cricket an average of 31.51.
The left-arm fast bowler whilst retiring from the longest format of the game has reiterated his desire to represent Pakistan in white-ball cricket.
“It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game,” Amir said.
“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.
“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.”
Pakistan’s first test series in the World Test Championship is set to be a home series against Sri Lanka in October.
JOEL KIFFIN / Getty Images
