Cricket

Mohammad Amir Confirms International Retirement Following British Citizenship

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 30, 2026, 12:36 IST

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has officially closed the door on an international comeback, confirming his status as a British local player following the acquisition of his British passport.

Mohammad Amir Confirms International Retirement Following British Citizenship

Mohammad Amir has definitively ended any lingering speculation regarding a potential return to the Pakistan national cricket team. The left-arm fast bowler, who initially retired from international competition in December 2024, has confirmed that his career on the world stage is firmly in the past.

The decision follows Amir obtaining British citizenship through his wife, Narjis Khan. By securing a British passport, the cricketer has transitioned into a new phase of his professional life, which necessitates a shift in his eligibility status for domestic competitions within the United Kingdom.

New Status Impacts Domestic Eligibility

Amir explained that his current status as a British local player carries specific regulatory requirements for tournaments such as the County Championship and The Hundred. To participate in these competitions under the local player designation, cricketers are required to sign a formal declaration confirming they will not represent another nation as a local player.

Reflecting on this transition during an interview with cricket content creator Furqan Bhatti, the bowler stated, "I am a British local now. When you play in competitions such as the County Championship and The Hundred as a local player, you have to sign a document stating that you cannot play for another country as a local. So, the Pakistan chapter I had before is now closed."

A Legacy Defined by Major Tournament Success

Amir’s international career concluded with a significant statistical footprint, having represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is. Across these formats, he claimed 119, 81, and 71 wickets respectively. His contributions were particularly notable during major ICC events, where he played a central role in Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy victories.

Perhaps his most iconic performance occurred in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India, where his spell of 3-16—which included the dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan—helped steer Pakistan to a 180-run victory. Additionally, he served as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker during the 2019 ODI World Cup, finishing the tournament with 17 wickets, including a memorable five-wicket haul against Australia. While his shift to British citizenship precludes a return to the international fold for events like the 2027 World Cup, it allows him to continue his career within the English domestic and franchise circuits.