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'I Still Dream To Play For Pakistan': Mohammad Amir Announces Retirement U-Turn 

Mohammad Amir is set for international comeback [X.com]Mohammad Amir is set for international comeback [X.com]

Mohammad Amir on Sunday (March 24) backtracked on his decision to retire from international cricket and announced his re-availability to play for Pakistan as had been speculated during the just-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024. 

The experienced left-arm pacer said "I still dream to play" in the senior national side and revealed that fruitful discussions with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials had encouraged him to consider a retirement U-Turn.

Amir had taken a controversial premature retirement from int'l cricket at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and made himself a full-time T20 journeyman cricketer, plying his trade in various leagues, including the International League T20 (ILT20) in UAE, where he had told the Pakistan T20I skipper, Shaheen Afridi, that he won't come back. 

Mohammad Amir Announces Retirement U-Turn For Pakistan 

However, in a major change of heart, Amir said he has been made to realise via "positive discussions" that "I was needed" for Pakistan's sake at the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June in the Caribbean & USA.

"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," Amir said in a statement.

"I want 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, still only 31, played his most recent international game in August 2020 before announcing his retirement following a rift with PCB and then coaches Waqar Younis and Misbah Ul Haq. 

The veteran bowler has represented Pakistan in 50 T20Is and taken 59 wickets at an economy rate of just 7.02, including best figures of 4/13.