After all-rounder Imad Wasim hangs his boots, left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir has also announced his retirement from international cricket, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to a PCB press release issued on Saturday, both players last featured for Pakistan in this year’s ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies.
35-year-old Imad made his international debut in May 2015 at home against Zimbabwe and went on to represent Pakistan in 55 ODIs and 75 T20Is. He took 117 wickets and scored 1,540 runs across the 130 games in his international career.
Amir, the 32-year-old from Gujjar Khan, featured in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is for Pakistan since making his international debut in June 2009. Amir took 271 international wickets and had scored 1,179 runs across the three formats.
Amir and Imad have been key members of the Pakistan men's cricket team over the years and they also represented Pakistan U19 team as part of their development early in their respective careers. Amir was part of the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup winning squad, while along with Imad, both were integral part of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy winning squad.
Mohammad Amir: “It has been a great honour to play for Pakistan across all three formats. I know this is a difficult decision, but I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan cricket to new heights.
“I would like to thank the PCB for always extending the much-needed support over the years and I look forward to watching the team excel. I would also like to thank Pakistan fans for always supporting me thorough out my career.”
Imad Wasim: “It has been a great journey representing my country and the fulfilment of a huge dream. I would like to thank the fans for supporting me and the team throughout these years.
“I would also like to thank the PCB for all their support at each step and I wish great success to the national team and look forward to supporting Pakistan cricket from the other side of the ground.”
PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed: “On behalf of the PCB, I extend sincere gratitude to Amir and Imad for their services to Pakistan cricket and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.”
AFP adds: The 32-year-old fast bowler came out of retirement earlier this year to play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies.
"After careful consideration I have taken the difficult decision to retire from international cricket," Amir said in a post on X.
"These decisions are never easy, but are inevitable. I feel this is the right time for the next generation to take the baton and elevate Pakistan cricket to new heights."
He retired from all forms of international cricket in December 2021 after being dropped from a tour of New Zealand, but continued to feature in franchise T20 leagues across the world.
In 2010 he was banned from the sport for five years for spot-fixing during a Test match in England, along with then skipper Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif. All three players were later jailed in the UK.
He returned to the squad in 2016 and played for Pakistan in all formats until his 2021 retirement.
Amir is currently playing in a T10 league in Sri Lanka.