Amir announces shock Test retirement

Pakistan's Test side has suffered a setback ahead of their tour of Australia this summer after skilled paceman Mohammad Amir pulled the pin on his red-ball career.

The Pakistan Cricket Board made the shock announcement Friday confirming Amir, who has played 36 Tests in a career interrupted by a five-year spot-fixing ban, has retired from the longest format.

"It has been an honour to represent Pakistan in the pinnacle and traditional format of the game. I, however, have decided to move away from the longer version so I can concentrate on white ball cricket," the 27-year-old said.

Pakistan's next Test engagement is a two-match tour of Australia beginning in November.

Amir, Pakistan's standout bowler at the recent 50-over World Cup with 17 wickets at 21.05, confirmed he'll remain available for selection for his country's one-day and T20 sides.

The left-armer hopes to play in next year's T20 World Cup in Australia.

"Playing for Pakistan remains my ultimate desire and objective, and I will try my best to be in the best physical shape to contribute in the team’s upcoming challenges, including next year’s ICC T20 World Cup," he continued.

"It has not been an easy decision to make and I have been thinking about this for some time. But with the ICC World Test Championship commencing shortly, and Pakistan boasting some very exciting young fast bowlers, it is appropriate that I call on my time in Test cricket so that the selectors can plan accordingly."

Amir is currently in England where he is signed to play for Essex in the English season.

He made an impressive entry into international cricket as a 17-year-old, taking six wickets in his debut Test against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2009.

The following year he was instrumental on a tour in England, helping Pakistan to level a two-match neutral-venue series against Australia with seven wickets in the Leeds Test.

He took 20 wickets in four Tests against England but it culminated in a shocking spot-fixing saga unearthed by the now-defunct tabloid News of the World.

Amir, along with then Test captain Salman Butt and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif, was charged for illegally taking money in return for delivering deliberate no-balls in the Lord's Test.

All three were banned for a minimum of five years and were also jailed by a UK court.

Amir returned to play for Pakistan again in 2016 but the other two failed in their bids to resume their international careers.

Overall, he took 119 wickets in 36 Tests, the last of which was against South Africa earlier this year. His best bowling returns - six for 44 - were against the West Indies in Kingston in April 2017.

"Amir has been one of the most exciting and talented left-arm fast bowlers in Test cricket in recent times," PCB managing director Wasim Khan said.

"He overcame adversity as a young cricketer and came back stronger not only as a cricketer but also as a better human being. His skill, on the field, and his personality will be missed in the dressing room in the longer format.

“However, we respect his decision and look forward to him continuing to play an integral role in white ball cricket for Pakistan.”

- with AFP