Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have decided to retire from international cricket again, just months after reversing their earlier retirements to play in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Imad Wasim made his announcement on Friday, stating that “this chapter comes to an end,” while Amir followed on Saturday, calling it a “difficult decision.”
Both players returned to the Pakistan national team earlier this year to take part in the T20 World Cup, which was held in June across the USA and the Caribbean. Their final appearance for Pakistan came in the same match, a group-stage game against Ireland on June 16 in Lauderhill. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s campaign in the tournament ended early as they failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Despite the disappointing team performance, both Amir and Imad made noticeable contributions. Mohammad Amir, Pakistan’s fast-bowling spearhead, was the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament alongside Haris Rauf. He claimed seven wickets in four bowling innings, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 4.50. Imad Wasim, the left-arm all-rounder, contributed primarily with the ball. He picked up three wickets with an economy rate of 4.00. However, he struggled with the bat, scoring only 19 runs at a strike rate of 65.51.
Amir and Imad remain highly sought after in franchise cricket leagues, including T20 and T10 tournaments worldwide. Most recently, the two featured in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. Imad played for Morrisville Samp Army, who made it to the final but fell short, finishing as runners-up. Meanwhile, Amir represented the New York Strikers, though his team was unable to progress to the playoffs.
Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir have had successful international careers, with both players often making a significant impact, especially in shorter formats. While they have stepped away from representing Pakistan on the international stage, their experience and skills ensure they will continue to play important roles in various franchise leagues around the world.
Their second retirement marks the end of an era for Pakistan cricket, but their performances in domestic and international T20 leagues will likely keep them in the spotlight for years to come. Fans can expect to see them competing in top tournaments globally as they focus on their franchise cricket careers.