Former Pakistani speedster Mohammad Amir has stated that he felt marginalized and overlooked by the "Pakistan cricket setup" following the 2024 T20 World Cup. He attributed his decision to retire again late last year to a perceived lack of communication from the team management. Amir and Imad Wasim had both reversed their earlier retirements to participate in the previous year's T20 World Cup, a tournament where Pakistan, the champions of the 2009 edition, suffered a disappointing campaign and failed to advance to the Super Eight stage. Notably, both Amir and Wasim announced their retirements from international cricket on consecutive days in December of last year.
"I felt sidelined and ignored by the Pakistan cricket setup after the T20 World Cup. After the T20 World Cup ended, no one even talked to me. No one told me if I was part of the future plans. A wise person understands the signs - if you're not in the plans, then you have to think about yourself. That's exactly what I did. I've made up my mind now - thank you very much, international cricket," he said," Amir said on a TV channel.
The left-arm fast bowler had previously announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2020 at the relatively young age of 28, citing disagreements with the then coaches, Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis. Amir further revealed that he had even declined an offer for a county cricket contract after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had requested his participation in the World Cup held in the Americas.
"Honestly speaking, I ended up spending more money than I made. I travelled with my trainer, and all those expenses came out of my own pocket. But that's a different matter," Amir added.
Meanwhile, the veteran speedster, who is representing Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing PSL 2025, was also asked about chances of featuring in Indian Premier League (IPL) to which he said:
“Honestly, if I get the opportunity, I'll definitely play in the IPL. I'm saying this openly. But if I don't get a chance, then I will play in the PSL. By next year, I will have the opportunity to play in the IPL, and if given the chance, then why not? I will play in the IPL.”
“I don't think IPL and PSL will clash next year. Because this year, the ICC Champions Trophy was everything. If I get picked in PSL first, then I can't pull off, as I will be banned from the tournament. If I get picked in IPL first, then I can't pull out from that league as well. Now, it depends on which league I get picked in first. If the IPL auction happens first and I get picked, then I can't pull off and will not play in the PSL. And if the PSL draft takes place first, and I get picked, then I can't pull out from the tournament,” Amir concluded.