Pakistan's exceptionally talented fast bowler Mohammad Amir retired from international cricket for a final time on Saturday, revealing not bowling against India on home grounds and hosting Virat Kohli at his Lahore house will remain a great miss in his career.
Amir had a fairytale rise at the international stage as a 17-year-old in 2009, starring in Pakistan's 2009 Twenty20 World Cup in the UK and then bowling the great Sachin Tendulkar in the Champions Trophy game in Centurion for a rare win over India in an ICC event.
His burgeoning career was halted due to a five-year ban on spot-fixing in 2010 but when he returned to international stage six years later he again starred in Pakistan's triumph in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy against India -- rocking them with wickets of Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.
India's decision not to travel to Pakistan for next year's Champions Trophy over security fears and political tension has left Aamir hugely disappointed.
India not touring Pakistan has saddened me. Had they (Indian players) come to Pakistan they would have realised their popularity in our country. Fans wanted to see Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishab Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. I have also toured India so I know how much love I got from the fans and players there. It would have been great had Indian players visited Pakistan. They have a huge following in Pakistan.
He developed mutual respect and admiration with Kohli, who gifted Amir his bat ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup match in Kolkata.
Virat is great and admires talent. For sure, I would have hosted him at my house.
Virat gifted me his bat and I was overwhelmed by his action. I have always been a great admirer of his batting and he is of my bowling. I played some good knocks with his bat.
Most notably of them was Amir's 28 not out as he helped Sarfaraz Ahmed chase down a stiff target against Sri Lanka at Cardiff in the 2017 Champions Trophy game. The win lifted Pakistan to the semi-final.
But the wish to host Kohli can come true in London where both spend time and are about to relocate in near future.
I have UK status now. Insha'Allah I will get my UK passport in February 2025, so that wish can come true in the UK.
With a UK passport Amir can also feature in the Indian Premier League as an overseas player.
Why not? Maybe in 2026 I am able to play in the IPL as I am still playing leagues around the world.
Amir said he was satisfied with his international career with 119 wickets in 36 Tests, 81 in 61 ODIs and 71 in 62 T20Is.
I am satisfied and honoured to have played for Pakistan. I felt this is the right time to retire. I did stage a comeback to play the Twenty20 World Cup and it was great to feature in one more mega event.
Now I see there are many talented bowlers like Shaheen Shah (Afridi), Naseem (Shah), Haris (Rauf) and Abbas Afridi, so I thought that Pakistan wanted to move forward with these young players and it's time for me to retire.
