LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today (Thursday) has confirmed the retirement of left-arm fast bowler Muhammad Amir from international cricket.
Earlier in the day, the 28-year-old left-arm pacer made the announcement in a video message. However, it was not immediately clear whether he was taking an indefinite break or had actually retired.
According to a statement, the board’s chief executive, Wasim Khan, spoke with the player this afternoon. Amir confirmed to the PCB chief executive that he has no desire or intention of playing international cricket and as such, he should not be considered for future international matches.
“This is a personal decision of Mohammad Amir, which the PCB respects, and as such, will not make any further comment on this matter at this stage,” the statement added.
The fast bowler released a video message saying he was being ‘mentally tortured’ by the PCB management. “I am being mentally tortured which I cannot bear. I am criticized and ridiculed for everything,” he added.
Amir had expressed reservations with the national team management. He had openly expressed his disappointment on social media after being dropped for the New Zealand tour.
He had also criticised head coach Misbah-ul -Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis recently. “I do not want to play for the national team,” he remarked. The pacer had announced his retirement from Test cricket in December 2019 so he could concentrate on playing white-ball cricket.
However, Pakistan’s fast bowling greats Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar expressed their surprise over Amir’s decision with Shoaib Akhtar saying it set a bad precedent for younger fast bowlers.
