Retired in 2020, Pakistan pacer unretires himself ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 after discussions with PCB

Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir has unretired himself ahead of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in the USA and West Indies. Amir who retired from international cricket in December 2020 announced the news via his X account. He said that he decided to take back his retirement after discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

"I still dream to play for Pakistan! life brings us to the points where at times we have to reconsider our decisions, There has been 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 t20WC

"I want to 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 tweeted on X.

Why Amir retired in 2020?

Earlier, in 2020 before announcing his retirement, Amir claimed that he was ‘mentally tortured’. He also said the team management taunted him. In addition, his workload was ‘unsatisfactory’.  

“I am leaving cricket for now because I'm being mentally tortured. I don't think I can bear such torture. I've borne lots of torture from 2010 to 2015, for which I served my time. I've been tortured by being told the PCB invested a lot in me. I'll just say two people invested in me a lot: [former PCB chairman] Najam Sethi and [former Pakistan captain] Shahid Afridi," he told Pakistan's Samaa TV.

"They were the only two. The rest of the team was saying, 'we don't want to play with Amir'. Recently, the atmosphere that's been created means I get taunted all the time by being told I don't want to play for my country. Who doesn't want to play for their country? Every two months, someone says something against me. Sometimes the bowling coach [Waqar Younis] says Amir ditched us, sometimes I'm told my workload is unsatisfactory. Enough is enough," he added.

Good run in PSL 2024 and his CPL record

Playing for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, Amir was impressive and picked up 10 wickets from nine games. His economy rate was 8.41 runs per over.

Amir has a good record in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Pakistan may benefit from his experience in the West Indies. The 31-year-old has 43 wickets from 29 games. Also, his economy rate was an exceptional 6.50 runs per over.

MORE ON SPORTS TAK:

Gautam Gambhir reacts after Harshit Rana’s heroics pull off thrilling win for KKR over SRH, says ‘…till the end’

Massive financial boost for Mumbai cricketers, MCA to give BCCI-level match fee to its Ranji team players