'They tried to spoil my image' - Mohammad Amir hits out at Pakistan team management after retiring from international cricket

Just few days after sensationally announcing his retirement from international cricket, former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has lashed out at the team management. The 28-year old has put the blame on the Pakistan management for his shocking decision to retire from the game at such an young age. He slammed head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis for “spoiling” his image.

Having retired from Tests last year, Amir brought down curtains on his ODI and T20I career earlier this week. He has ended his international career after representing Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 50 T20Is. His decision came after repeated reports of poor relation between him and the team-management.

And in his latest outburst, Mohammad Amir has proved that he is miffed at the current Pakistan team management.  Speaking on his official YouTube channel, the left-hander made it clear that his problem was with Misbah and Younis. He insisted that the Pakistan coaches tarnished his image by ‘poisoning people’s minds’ by claiming that he only wanted to play T20s in order to earn money.

“These people have been trying to slowly poison people’s minds by saying that I didn’t want to play Test cricket and only wanted to play in T20 leagues to earn money. They built a narrative that I had let down the team despite all the investment in me,” Amir said.

“They have tried to spoil my image and it takes a lot of hard work to build your image. It was a very hard decision for me but I think the time has come when one shouldn’t keep quiet. I took this decision to raise this issue and let people know what is happening,” he added.

I was hurt, says Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir further said that he was very hurt after being ignored for the ongoing T20I series in New Zealand. The pacer was a part of Pakistan’s last T20I assignment which was in England. Amir also accused the current team-management of ignoring him while also stating that the coaches never talked to him over the selection issues.

“Obviously I was very hurt when they didn’t select me even in 35 players for New Zealand. If I only cared about playing in leagues then I would not feel bad at being dropped for the New Zealand tour nor would I have reacted. They say they have nothing personal against me, but they didn’t have the courtesy to tell me directly as a senior player that they were dropping me or whether they had me in their plans. This is the way things are done,” he added.

Mohammad Amir also hit back at suggestions that he was ignored for faring poorly on the cricket field. Amir highlighted his performance in the Pakistan Super League as well as in the Asia Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy. He also pointed out that he was Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in 2019 World Cup despite having a shoulder problem.

“What performances do they talk about…Since I came back I had a PSL hat trick, I bowled well in the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy, I was the highest wicket-taker in last year’s World Cup despite playing with a shoulder problem. I am still in the ICC bowlers rankings. I have given performances in leagues. What more can I do?” said Amir.

The player said he was surprised at how some people could be “judgmental” about his retirement from Test cricket “without knowing anything” about him. He concluded by saying that it was tough for him to play for Pakistan with the current team-management.

“When did I say I would prefer playing in leagues instead of playing for Pakistan. But when you are not being selected in the national team what else can I do except go and play in leagues and prove myself to everyone. I have my self respect and I can’t compromise on that. I believe in giving respect, getting respect,” Amir signed off.