Former Pakistan captains including Wasim Akram and Rameez Raza have questioned Mohammad Amir’s decision to retire from Test cricket at the age of 27.
Having played a starring role for Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup in England, Amir announced on Thursday that he was quitting Test cricket to concentrate on the limited-overs formats.
“It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game. I, however, have decided to move away from the longer version so I can concentrate on white ball cricket,” the left-armed pacer said in a statement.
Amir’s surprising decision has not gone down well with the likes of Wasim Akram who feels that the pacer is at the peak of his career.
“To me Mohammad Amir retiring from Test cricket is a bit surprising because you peak at 27-28 and Test cricket is where you are judged against the best, it’s the ultimate format. Pakistan will need him in two Tests in Australia and then three in England,” Akram wrote on Twitter.
To me Mohammad Amir retiring from Test cricket is a bit surprising because you peak at 27-28 and Test cricket is where you are judged against the best, it’s the ultimate format. Pakistan will need him in two Tests in Australia and then three in England.
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) July 26, 2019
Former Pakistan skipper Rameez Raza expressed his disappointment with Amir’s decision as well.
“Amir white flagging Test Cricket at 27 is disappointing,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Besides being dismissive of the greatest format that makes stars and legends his decision is clearly not in in line with the needs of Pakistan cricket which is desperately looking to reboot Test cricket. Was time to repay and not eject.”
Amir white flagging Test Cricket at 27 is disappointing. Besides being dismissive of the greatest format that makes stars & legends his decision is clearly not in in line with the needs of Pak ckt which is desperately looking to reboot test cricket. Was time to repay & not eject.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) July 26, 2019
Amir has played 36 Tests for Pakistan previously with his debut coming all the way back in 2009. The 27-year-old has managed to pick up 119 wickets in those appearances at an average of 30.47 with the help of four five-wicket hauls.
He had finished as the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup with 17 scalps in eight matches.
