'I go step by step' - Mohammad Amir opens up on prospect of playing IPL after getting British citizenship

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir is looking to acquire a British passport following his marriage to Narjis Khan, a British citizen and lawyer.

Amir relocated to the United Kingdom in 2020 and his passport acquisition will open the doors for him to even represent England in international cricket. Talking about his possibility of playing in the IPL with a British passport, he said that he will take one step at a time and won’t think too far ahead at the moment.

"First, I will not play for England. I have played for Pakistan. Second (talking of IPL), there is one more year to go. What will be the scenario at that time....I always say that I go step by step. We don't know what will happen tomorrow and I start thinking about playing IPL in 2024. When I get my passport ...whatever the best opportunity will be and what I will get...I will avail it," Amir was quoted as saying by ARY News.

Notably, Amir announced his retirement from international cricket back in 2020. The seamer also made a shocking revelation and reportedly claimed that he had been mentally tortured by the team management. The Punjab-born seamer represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 50 T20Is and picked 259 wickets across formats. He last played his international game during a T20I against England at Manchester on August 30, 2020.

Amir burst onto the scene as a young prodigy capable of swinging the ball both ways with a searing pace. However, he got landed in controversy for his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. Following that, he was banned for five years by the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

Upon his return to international cricket in 2016, the fast bowler redeemed himself by bowling Pakistan to victory in the Champions Trophy 2017 final against India as he picked the prized scalps of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan to bundle out India for a mere 158 in their pursuit of 339. As a result, Pakistan won the  final by 180 runs with Amir registering brilliant figures of 3/16 in six overs.