Former Pakistan seamer Mohammad Amir did an Imad Wasim on taking a U-turn on his international retirement, making himself available for selection for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean, starting June 1. On Sunday (March 24), Amir took to social media to announce his decision to come out of retirement, remaining in the scheme of things for all international assignments in the lead-up to the 20-team tournament.

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In a detailed post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Amir wrote that he still dreams of playing for Pakistan. He added following discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board, where PCB members convinced him to return to cricket, Amir spoke with his family and well-wishers, and after pondering enough on this, he decided to come out of retirement. 

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“I still dream to play for Pakistan! 
Life brings us to the points where at times we have to reconsider our decisions, There have been a few positive discussions between myself and the PCB where they respectfully made me feel that I was needed and can still play for Pakistan after discussing with family and we’ll wishers I declare that I am available to be considered for upcoming T20 WC, I want do this for my country as it comes before my personal decisions. Donning the green jersey and serving my country has always been, and will continue to be my greatest aspirations,” Amir wrote on X.

Meanwhile, after announcing his Test retirement in 2019, Amir retired from all forms of cricket in December 2020, citing ‘mental torture’. 

The return of Amir

The left-arm quick, who won the 2017 Champions Trophy with Pakistan, continued to play in the Pakistan Super League since. In the recently concluded edition, Amir played for Quetta Gladiators and picked 10 wickets at an economy of 8.41. 

Amir’s announcement comes one day after all-rounder Imad Wasim took to social media to announce his decision to unretire from international cricket to remain available for selection for the marquee event later this year.

Amir, 31, has represented Pakistan across all formats since his international debut in 2009. Amir has picked 259 wickets in 61 ODIs, 36 Tests and 50 T20Is for the Men in Green. 

However, once considered to be a generational talent, Amir was found guilty in the spot-fixing scandal in the 2010 Lord’s Test alongside Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt. Unlike the latter two, Amir returned to play for Pakistan in 2016 and represented them in two ICC events (2016 T20 WC and 2017 CT) before hanging his boots a few years later. 

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