The cricketing journey of Mohammad Amir has consistently oscillated between extraordinary talent and severe controversies. The Pakistani fast bowler carved out a distinct identity in international cricket at an extremely tender age, but the infamous 2010 spot-fixing scandal completely derailed his career. Despite the turbulence and a stringent five-year ban, the Pakistan cricket establishment showed faith in him by granting a second chance. He repaid that trust by delivering a stellar bowling spell against India in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy, playing a pivotal role in his team's historic tournament victory. However, circumstances have evolved drastically over time, and the narrative surrounding his career has taken a completely new turn.
The 2010 Spot-Fixing Scandal and Ban
The most profound controversy of Mohammad Amir's professional life erupted in 2010 during the tour of England. While playing the Lord's Test match, Amir and his pace partner Mohammad Asif faced serious allegations of deliberately bowling no-balls. Following a thorough investigation, Amir was found guilty of spot-fixing. Consequently, he was slammed with a five-year ban from all forms of cricket and had to endure a six-month prison sentence. At the time of this immense setback, Amir was merely 22 years old, and his exceptionally promising career came to an abrupt and shocking halt.
A Second Chance and the 2016 Return
After serving his five-year suspension, Mohammad Amir was granted an opportunity to make a comeback to the sport. In 2016, he resumed playing international cricket for Pakistan. This return was far from smooth as he faced relentless criticism from various quarters, but he persistently attempted to silence his detractors through his on-field performances. The crowning achievement of this phase was the 2017 Champions Trophy final. During the title clash against India, Amir dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan, picking up three crucial wickets to script Pakistan's memorable triumph.
Retirements and Final Goodbye
Mohammad Amir continued representing Pakistan in Test cricket until 2019, after which he stepped away from the longest format to focus exclusively on limited-overs cricket. In 2020, he stunned the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket altogether. Nevertheless, he reversed his stance in 2024, expressing a renewed desire to play for Pakistan and making himself available for the T20 World Cup. After featuring for Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Amir announced his permanent retirement from international cricket in December 2024, bringing an definitive end to his international journey.
British Citizenship and Severing Ties with Pakistan
A fresh and monumental turning point has now emerged in Amir's professional trajectory with the acquisition of British citizenship. Following this development, his cricketing status within England has evolved, enabling him to progress toward playing as a local cricketer. In August 2026, Amir himself stated that he is now a British local and the chapter of returning to represent Pakistan is permanently closed. He explained that playing as a local in English domestic competitions requires a declaration that he will no longer participate as a local player for any other country. Thus, the very player to whom Pakistan offered a lifeline after a severe fixing scandal has now consciously turned away from his homeland.
Potential IPL Prospects and Career Statistics
Securing British citizenship has inadvertently opened up potential pathways for Mohammad Amir to participate in the Indian Premier League. With his new citizenship status, he could potentially enter the IPL auction pool as an overseas player. Amir has previously expressed his deep aspiration to play in the IPL, mentioning in an interview that he would certainly jump at the opportunity if given the chance. Reflecting on his overall international numbers, Mohammad Amir has represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20 Internationals. He has scalped 119 wickets in Tests, 81 in ODIs, and 71 in T20 Internationals. Furthermore, he was an integral part of Pakistan's victorious 2009 T20 World Cup squad and played a defining role in securing the 2017 Champions Trophy.
