Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Amir announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday, citing being treated in a “shabby” manner and “mentally torture” by his team’s management. The sportsman, who was banned for five years in a spot-fixing case, proved his worth when he returned to the game in full force, helping Pakistan win the 2017 Champions Trophy with three wickets in the final against India. With 17 wickets in tow, he was also the country’s best bowler in last year’s World Cup. However, the 23-year-old, who retired from Test Cricket earlier, was not selected in the squad for the series against New Zealand or Zimbabwe.
“I don’t want to play international cricket anymore,” Amir said. “I was always available for white-ball cricket but I have had shabby treatment from the team management who have mentally tortured me, and that’s unacceptable,” he added. The Pakistan Cricket Board supported Amir’s decision in a press release. “PCB chief executive Wasim Khan spoke with Amir this afternoon who confirmed that he has no desires or intentions of playing international cricket and, as such, he should not be considered for future international matches,” it said on Thursday. “This is a personal decision of Amir, which the PCB respects.”
We want to you back plz come back?#AmirTakeRetirementBack #amirretires @iamamirofficial h pic.twitter.com/yLolgNkXzk
— TaHiR MiAn? (@Tahirnwz) December 18, 2020
#AmirTakeRetirementBack @iamamirofficial plz sir take retirement back.?? pic.twitter.com/cE6JpFusfJ
— Yasir (@Yasir69268690) December 18, 2020
Ended his career with 259 wickets, the 2nd most by a Pakistani left-arm pacer and over-all the 8th most by any left-arm pacer in International cricket (all formats). @wasimakramlive leads this list with 916 wickets. #CricketStats #MuhammadAmir#AmirTakeRetirementBack pic.twitter.com/pacF7uc5Z9
— Muhammad Hamza Khan (@mhamxaak) December 18, 2020
#AmirTakeRetirementBack RIGHT NOW! Please! ?#Pakistan – Are you with me on this? Share your thoughts! pic.twitter.com/2EmCvAL9wP
— Fasih Ch (@FasihCh3) December 18, 2020
@iamamirofficial : please withdraw your retirement. And returned to international cricket. We have to see you playing in Pakistan cricket team once again#AmirTakeRetirementBack #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/M8wkzf4wcc
— WASEEM TARIQ (@wasimtariq_) December 18, 2020
Pakistani cricket fans are extremely upset with Amir’s announcement. One of the oldest and most experienced bowlers in the team, his retirement comes as a shock for avid watchers of the game. The hashtag #AmirTakeRetirementBack has been trending on the micro-blogging platform Twitter since the news first broke out. “We want you back, please come back,” read a post. Stating the facts, a user added, “Ended his career with 259 wickets, the 2nd most by a Pakistani left-arm pacer and over-all the 8th most by any left-arm pacer in international cricket (all formats) #AmirTakeRetirementBack.”
Kindly sir take your decision back and serve Pakistan.#AmirTakeRetirementBack pic.twitter.com/TA043dCV3y
— Aneeque Ahmad (@AneequeAhmad7) December 18, 2020
#AmirTakeRetirementBack #Amir #supportamir @iamamirofficial
Pakistan need you and we love you don't go pic.twitter.com/xERBkVEM1C— PMLnNewsPoint5 (@PMLnNewsPoint5) December 18, 2020
#?????_??_???_??? #MuhammadAmir @iamamirofficial
Please play for pakistan,, Take your decision back we need you ,don't destroy your career because of some haters Folded hands #MuhammadAmir #AmirTakeRetirementBack @iamamirofficial pic.twitter.com/kG2YW3Mxt9
— ATIF JAVED (@ATIFJAV87100898) December 18, 2020
Please @iamamirofficial
take your decision back, we want to see you back in green shirt.#AmirWeLoveYou#AmirTakeRetirementBack pic.twitter.com/vNIVNQG3oR— Nadir Sultan Nadi (@NadirNadi007) December 18, 2020
#AmirTakeRetirementBack
Man of champions trophy final ? pic.twitter.com/sQFCXNF2qr— Abdullah (@ABDBhattii) December 18, 2020
Just so so sad and disappointed. He was just not a good crickter but a man with great courage. How he came back after years and rebuilt his image in the whole world. Loved and appreciated by lots of people. Please #AmirTakeRetirementBack
Cricket won't be fun without you. #Amir pic.twitter.com/pV6Exl4OHF— Sameer Baba (@sameerbabagee) December 18, 2020
#AmirTakeRetirementBack
What a waste of talent! The untimely exit of a young superstar unveils the corrupt faces within the PCB. The patron in chief of the PCB must take notice and address the reservations that led to the retirement of the gem. #WeStandByAmir@FaisalJavedKhan— ZayRizz (@zayrizz1) December 18, 2020
Champ please review your Decision. Don't be disappointed.
You are our star. Its a request from your die heart fan.#AmirTakeRetirementBack pic.twitter.com/JdvEyJeNE4— Hamid Ch?? (@HamidCh33) December 17, 2020
Amir bhai please take retirement back ???? @iamamirofficial #AmirTakeRetirementBack #Amir pic.twitter.com/e4CLhsOfvV
— Zain tasadaq (@ZainTd1) December 17, 2020
Legend gone ?? @iamamirofficial #AmirTakeRetirementBack
— Zain tasadaq (@ZainTd1) December 17, 2020
Allah forgives but people don't forget?
Mohammad Amir: "Mentally tortured" pic.twitter.com/FKc9dHqtGl
— Adeena? (@ay_twee) December 17, 2020
Shahid Afridi Comes In Support Of AMIR ??
Shahid Afridi Said – Waqar Younis Shouldn't Have Said That , I think it is wrong . I have talked to Mohammad Amir And Suggested Him To Talk to board and take his retirement back !! #ShahidAfridi #amirretires #AmirTakeRetirementBack pic.twitter.com/DgovhJNDIp
— Zeeshan Malik (@Zeshii6) December 17, 2020
You will be missed Amir.?
The end of a chapter ?#AmirTakeRetirementBack@iamamirofficial pic.twitter.com/X8b117OXgJ— Arslan Rao (@Rao_Talk) December 17, 2020
Jalan: Did the Finale Allow The Show To End on a High Note? Yes and No.
A post read, #AmirTakeRetirementBack RIGHT NOW! Please!” Some people could not handle the fact that Amir will not be playing some important matches in the future. “Please withdraw your retirement. And returned to international cricket. We have to see you playing in Pakistan cricket team once again,” a tweet read. “We want to see you back in the green shirt!” Others lauded him for making a great comeback even after five years of being absent from cricket. “Just so sad and disappointed. He was just not a good cricketer but a man with great courage. How he came back after years and rebuilt his image in the whole world. Loved and appreciated by lots of people. Please #AmirTakeRetirementBack. Cricket won’t be fun without you,” wrote a fan. A handful of users lashed out at PCB for various reasons. One penned, “What a waste of talent! The untimely exit of a young superstar unveils the corrupt faces within the PCB. The patron in chief of the PCB must take notice and address the reservations that led to the retirement of the gem.” Do you think Amir will reconsider his decision? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
