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Friday, March 29, 2024

Muhammad Amir packs his bags and seeks British citizenship

Amir now aims to settle in the UK as he announces his retirement from Test Cricket

News Desk |

After taking an exit from Test cricket yesterday, Pakistan’s pacer Muhammad Amir is seeking British citizenship in a bid to settle down permanently in Britain after retirement.

Amir married British citizen Narjis Malik in September 2016. He has already applied for a ‘British citizenship’, which allows him to spend 30 months in the UK. In the case of obtaining a “spouse visa’, the 27-year-old will be able to work and take advantage of various other perks that come along with it. He is also mulling over purchasing a property in the UK.

Muhammad Amir’s cricketing career was doomed following his involvement in the spot-fixing controversy. He had served half of his six-month imprisonment in the UK in 2012.

Amir has travelled to England several times with the team for cricket series and county after his reinstatement back in the team, following his trial in the spot-fixing case.

After Obtaining Residency, Amir will be Able to Apply for a British Passport

Muhammad Amir has announced his retirement from Test Cricket but reaffirmed his commitment to playing white-ball cricket for Pakistan.

The sources inside the team suggest that Amir is looking forward to playing for international T20 leagues in England and around the world. With his announcement, Amir has made it clear that he will not be available for Pakistan’s Test Series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played in UAE.

“It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game. I, however, have decided to move away from the longer version so I can concentrate on white-ball cricket.” Amir was quoted in the press release.

Read more: Mohammad Amir retires from test cricket

He stated that he has announced his retirement to give the board ample time to find his replacement.

“It has not been an easy decision to make and I have been thinking about this for some time. But with the ICC World Test Championship commencing shortly, and Pakistan boasting some very exciting young fast bowlers, it is appropriate that I call on my time in Test cricket so that the selectors can plan accordingly,” stated Muhammad Amir.

Criticism from Senior Cricketers

Calls have been made on social media for Amir to revise his decision, according to many cricketing experts, Amir retiring from Test cricket at an early age of 27 is robbing himself of the opportunity to become a legendary cricketer.

Pakistani former cricketer Ramiz Raja gave his two-cents on his decision and the implications Amir might face in the future. He said, it is not wise of Amir to take an exit from the Test cricket, when Pakistan Cricket Board desperately needs it, fine players, to revamp its test cricket’s performance.

Amir made his first-class debut in November 2008, and his first One-Day International and Test appearances in July 2009 in Sri Lanka at the age of 17.

Pakistan Cricket Board is looking forward to reinvigorating Pakistan’s test side. Raja further commented that it was Amir’s turn to pay back his country and team in this crucial time but, unfortunately, he is walking away.

Following Ramiz Raja, pacer Shoaib Akhter too expressed his discontentment with Amir’s decision. He speculated that following Amir, he fears bowlers Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, and Hasan Ali will too wave good-bye to Test format.

He censured Amir that Pakistan Cricket Board had invested a lot on Muhammad Amir and provided him a second chance to wash off his stains incurred from the spot-fixing controversy.

Akhtar censuring Amir stated, personal vendettas should take a back seat since Pakistan should come first. He requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to look into the matters of the Pakistan Cricket Board and introduce overhaul changes in the structure of the board. He urged PM Khan to bring in dynamic and bold people to restructure the board.

He asserted that the current players of Pakistan cricket team must be given a broader perspective to shine in the world and not just limit themselves to becoming local celebrities.

Read more: ‘Surprise package’ — Pakistan’s 150kph teen with World Cup in his sights

Muhammad Amir’s cricketing career was doomed following his involvement in the spot-fixing controversy. He had served half of his six-month imprisonment in the UK in 2012.

Amir made his first-class debut in November 2008, and his first One-Day International and Test appearances in July 2009 in Sri Lanka at the age of 17. He played his first international match during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, where he played in every game, helping the national side win the tournament.