Amir and Imad announce second retirement from international cricket.

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim have announced their second retirement from international cricket.

Amir, 32, revealed his decision through a heartfelt message on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, leaving fans disappointed as many had hoped for his return to the team. In his statement, Amir said, “After much thought, I’ve made the tough decision to retire from international cricket. These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary. It’s time for the new generation to step forward and take Pakistan cricket to greater heights.”

He added, “Representing my country has been the greatest honor of my life. I am deeply grateful to the PCB, my family, friends, and, above all, my fans for their unwavering support.”

Amir first retired in 2020 at 28, citing differences with the team management but made a comeback earlier this year, declaring his availability for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 alongside Wasim. Despite Wasim’s underwhelming performance, Amir was one of Pakistan’s standout players, taking seven wickets in four matches at an impressive average of 10.28. However, Pakistan’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, as they were eliminated in the group stage.

Amir made his debut for Pakistan at 17 during the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in his team’s victory. Over his career, he represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is, claiming 271 wickets and scoring 1,179 runs. He was also part of the team that won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy.

In his retirement statement, Wasim expressed his gratitude for the journey, stating, “Representing my country has been an immense privilege. I thank the fans for their support and the PCB for standing by me throughout.”

Imad, who also announced his retirement in 2023 but reversed the decision for the T20 World Cup in June 2024, reiterated his gratitude toward the PCB and fans.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) thanked both players for their contributions. In a statement, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad said, “We extend our sincere thanks to Amir and Imad for their services and wish them the best for their future endeavors.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s T20 captain Mohammad Rizwan attributed their seven-wicket loss to South Africa in the second T20I to the team’s inexperience. Rizwan praised Saim Ayub’s outstanding performance but highlighted moments where Pakistan lost momentum. “Saim Ayub was exceptional, but after 10 overs, we lost our way. The middle order is still a work in progress, and we have an inexperienced side. We aimed for 220+, but South Africa’s bowlers were excellent in the last few overs,” Rizwan said.

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