In 2009, Pakistan began to dream anew with the induction of Amir. Breaking retirement before the T20 World Cup, he returned to the national team. Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) dream is to witness again the magic of swing bowling, akin to the 2010 tours of England or Australia.
For some, he’s a traitor; for others, a superstar. For Amir, it’s about reliving a dream shattered once again. His unwavering character needs no new introduction.
Even after being bid farewell to international cricket in 2020, Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises continue to perform consistently. As preparations for the upcoming World Cup in 2024 begin, offers to include Amir in the squad alongside Imad Wasim emerged. Notably, he was retained for the New Zealand series along with Imad.
Yet, criticism seems unending. Amir counters, “What’s Pakistan’s main source for T20 cricket? PSL. Both Imad and I have played in PSL. We consistently perform in various leagues. So, where’s the mistake in selecting us for T20?”
Amir claimed to have discussed his retirement reconsideration with former Pakistan team manager, Mohammad Hafeez. However, amid uncertainty between the cricket board and the team, he decided to distance himself from international cricket.
He believes the selection committee should solely focus on domestic leagues and fitness. However, he advises considering previous experience in home cricket for formats like Test or ODI. Nevertheless, Amir is determined to silence critics with his performance.
