LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday to concentrate on the limited-overs game, nine years after a spot-fixing ban halted his burgeoning career.

The 27-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best left-arm pacers after countryman Wasim Akram, said he wants to move away from the traditional format.

“It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game,” Amir was quoted as saying in a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media release. “I, however, have decided to move away from the longer version so I can concentrate on white ball cricket.”

Amir is currently in England where he is signed to play for Essex in the English season.

Amir said he had been thinking about quitting Test cricket for some time and it was not an easy decision for him.

“It has not been an easy decision to make and I have been thinking about this for some time. But with the ICC World Test Championship commencing shortly, and Pakistan boasting some very exciting young fast bowlers, it is appropriate that I call on my time in Test cricket so that the selectors can plan accordingly.”

Pakistan have young fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi with seamer Mohammad Abbas also proving effective in the five-day format with untried Mohammad Hasnain, — who was in the World Cup squad but didn’t play — emerging as a genuine speedster.

Amir thanked his team-mates and opponents in red ball cricket, saying it was a ‘privilege to play against them’.

“I am sure our paths will continue to cross in limited-overs cricket as all of us play and compete with the same vigour and determination,” he said. “I also want to thank the PCB for providing me the opportunity to don the golden star on my chest. And, I am grateful to my coaches who have groomed me at various stages of my career.”

Amir made an impressive entry into international cricket as a 17-year-old, taking six wickets in his debut Test against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2009.

The following year, he was instrumental on a tour in England, helping Pakistan to level the two-match neutral-venue series against Australia with seven wickets in the Headingley Test.

He took 20 wickets in four Tests against England but it culminated in a shocking spot-fixing saga unearthed by the now-defunct tabloid News of the World.

Amir, along with then Test captain Salman Butt and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif, was charged for illegally taking money in return for delivering deliberate no-balls in the Lord’s Test.

All three were banned for a minimum of five years and were also jailed by a UK court.

Amir returned to play for Pakistan again in 2016 but the other two failed in their bids to resume their international careers.

Overall, Amir took 119 wickets at an average of 30.47 in 36 Tests, the last of which was against South Africa earlier this year. His best bowling returns — six for 44 — were against the West Indies in Kingston in April 2017.

Amir took 51 wickets in his first 14 Tests before being banned. But since he returned to Test cricket in 2016 he struggled with his swing and only managed a further 68 wickets 22 Tests.

Amir said he is committed to play for Pakistan in One-day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals.

“Playing for Pakistan remains my ultimate desire and objective, and I will try my best to be in the best physical shape to contribute in the team’s upcoming challenges, including next year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.”

The left-arm bowler has excelled in limited-overs cricket, helping Pakistan to the Champions Trophy title in 2017.

Amir was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan in the recent 50-overs World Cup in England with 17 wickets but the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side finished fifth in the group stage and narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot.

PCB managing director Wasim Khan praised Amir’s services.

“Amir has been one of the most exciting and talented left-arm fast bowlers in Test cricket in recent times. We respect his decision and look forward to him continuing to play an integral role in white ball cricket for Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2019