Pakistan greats including Ramiz Raja, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar have slammed Mohammad Amir’s decision to retire the longest format of the game at the age of 27.
The Left-arm Pakistan pacer announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday having played 36 Tests. However, he will continue playing white-ball cricket for his country.
Thank you PCB, our PM @ImranKhanPTI @wasimakramlive bhi @SAfridiOfficial bhi @waqyounis99 & @yousaf1788. Thank you and my fans for always supporting me and I hope you all will support my this decision also.see video link https://t.co/BbAYzPbncl
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) July 26, 2019
Amir, who made his Test debut as a 17-year-old in July 2009 – claimed 119 wickets in 36 Tests at an average of 30.47.
Former skipper Rameez Raja was not impressed by Amir’s decision. He tweeted:
Amir white flagging Test Cricket at 27 is disappointing. Besides being dismissive of the greatest format that makes stars & legends his decision is clearly not in in line with the needs of Pak ckt which is desperately looking to reboot test cricket. Was time to repay & not eject.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) July 26, 2019
Wasim Akram took to twitter to express his views:
To me Mohammad Amir retiring from Test cricket is a bit surprising because you peak at 27-28 and Test cricket is where you are judged against the best, it’s the ultimate format. Pakistan will need him in two Tests in Australia and then three in England.
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) July 26, 2019
Pace legend Shoaib Akhtar has criticised Amir on his YouTube channel.