Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has ended speculation about another international comeback before the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The 34-year-old said his new status as a British local player had closed the door on representing Pakistan again. The next ODI World Cup will run from October 4 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
British Citizenship Closes Comeback Door
Amir announced his latest international retirement on December 14, 2024, after playing for Pakistan at that year’s T20 World Cup. He has since acquired British citizenship and a British passport through his wife, Narjis Khan.
The change allows Amir to play as a local in English domestic cricket. However, he will occupy an overseas-player slot in competitions such as the Pakistan Super League.
Speaking to cricket YouTuber Furqan Bhatti, Amir explained the condition attached to his local status in England.
“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,” Amir said.
The statement appears to end any remaining hope of another reversal. Amir first retired from international cricket in December 2020 but withdrew that decision in March 2024. He returned for the 2024 T20 World Cup before retiring again six months later.
Career Across Three Formats
Amir made his Pakistan debut in 2009 and represented the country in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20 internationals. He collected 119 Test wickets, 81 ODI wickets and 71 T20I wickets, finishing with 271 international dismissals.
The left-arm pacer played in three ICC World Cups. He took six wickets in seven matches as Pakistan won the 2009 T20 World Cup.
Amir then claimed eight wickets from six matches at the 2010 tournament. Nine years later, he led Pakistan’s bowling chart at the 2019 ODI World Cup with 17 wickets in eight games.
His best performance at that event came against Australia. Amir recorded figures of 5/30, although Pakistan lost the match by 41 runs.
Champions Trophy Spell Remains Defining Moment
Amir also produced one of his most memorable performances during Pakistan’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy triumph.
In the final against India at The Oval, he took 3/16 from six overs. He removed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, dismantling India’s top order during Pakistan’s defence of 338.
Pakistan dismissed India for 158 and sealed a 180-run victory. The result delivered Pakistan’s first Champions Trophy title and remains one of the country’s biggest wins in an ICC final.
Amir’s latest comments shift his professional focus fully toward English domestic and global franchise cricket. They also close a Pakistan career marked by 15 years, two retirements, a brief comeback and several defining performances on the world stage.
