‘What do I have to prove?’ – Mohammad Amir backs his decision to bid Test cricket goodbye

Mohammad Amir, the Pakistan fast bowler, doesn’t have regrets about retiring from Test cricket. Back in July 2019, the left-arm speedster called it quits from the format at the age of 27. Subsequently, a number of greats like Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram lashed out at Amir for the decision. Later that year, Pakistan had to tour Australia without their premier seamer.

On bidding adieu to the purest form of cricket, Amir said that his body wasn’t able to sustain the hassles of all three formats. He mentioned that taking the call was a necessary one in order to prolong his career. Amir also feels that the move has paid rich dividends.

“Everyone has their opinion. I know my body the best. I felt my body was getting overloaded. I couldn’t manage. To prolong my career, I had to take the decision, which was supported by my family. I am feeling much better and the results are visible,” Amir was quoted as saying in The National.

Fatigue was bound to happen, says Mohammad Amir

Amir had to spend five years away from cricket due to the spot-fixing scandal he got himself involved in a decade ago. Amir mentioned that fatigue was something inevitable for him, bearing in mind his participation in all the three formats.

“Five-year gap is a lot for a bowler. When I came back, I played continuously for three straight years and that too in all formats. Fatigue was bound to happen, especially for fast bowlers. But now I am feeling much better, Alhamdulillah. When your focus is on one thing and you are mentally and physically fresh, you can deliver and perform better,” Amir stated.

Amir is now plying his trade for the Karachi Kings in the 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In nine matches, the pacer has picked up 10 wickets at an economy of 7.52. Though he went wicketless in the last two games, Amir still remains to be their gun bowler.

Amir will have a task at hand when the Kings face the Lahore Qalandars in the semi-final on March 17 at the Gaddafi Stadium. Amir prefers his performances to do all the talking and reckons that he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

“What do I have to prove? Performances prove everything. As a professional, whatever opportunities you get, you avail them. Right now, PSL is my focus. I want to enjoy it and perform well. World Cup is a long way away. That’s five-six months away. Now it’s all about PSL,” he added.