Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir is a British Pakistani cricketer who represented the Pakistan national cricket team between 2009 and 2024. He operates as a left-arm fast bowler and a left-handed batsman. Currently, he plays for Rawalpindiz in the Pakistan Super League.

Early life and education

Amir was born on 13 April 1992 in Changa Bangial, Gujar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. He grew up in a Punjabi family as the second youngest of seven children. His father, Raja Mohammad Fayyaz, worked as a watchman in a school after serving in the Pakistan Army. Amir identifies Wasim Akram as his idol and frequently imitated his bowling actions while watching him on television.

In 2003, he was spotted at a local tournament when he was 11 years old. This event led to an invitation to join the Bajwa Cricket Academy in Rawalpindi, which was established by chairman Asif Bajwa. Following his entry into the national team, his family moved to Lahore to ensure he was closer to top-flight cricket facilities.

Career

Amir began his domestic career in March 2008 for the Rawalpindi Rams while also representing the National Bank of Pakistan. He took 55 first-class wickets during that debut season. His rapid rise continued when he was selected by Wasim Akram for a fast bowling camp in 2007. At age 15, he toured England with the Pakistan U-19 team and recorded 8 wickets at an average of 16.37 runs.

He made his international debut against England during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. During this tournament, he helped Pakistan win the championship. In July 2009, he also made his first One-Day International and Test appearances in Sri Lanka at age 17. He took six wickets in his debut Test match, including the wickets of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

His career faced a major disruption on 29 August 2010, when he was arrested for spot-fixing. He received a five-year ban after bowling two deliberate no-balls. In November 2011, Southwark Crown Court convicted him of conspiracy charges alongside Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif. Amir spent three months in prison and pleaded guilty to the charges. While his accomplices received suspensions of 7 and 10 years, his ban was considered more lenient due to his age and confession.

Amir returned to domestic cricket early on 29 January 2015. He played for the Chittagong Vikings in the 2015 Bangladesh Premier League and rejoined the Pakistan squad for a tour of New Zealand in 2016. The Pakistan Cricket Board awarded him a central contract for the 2018–19 season. Although he retired from Test cricket in July 2019, he later withdrew his international retirement in March 2024 to participate in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He announced his retirement from international cricket again in December 2024.

In franchise cricket, he has played for several teams including the Dublin Chiefs, Khulna Tigers, and Karachi Kings. During the inaugural Lanka Premier League, he became the first player to take a five-wicket haul by claiming 5 wickets for 26 runs against Colombo Kings.

Personal life

Amir married Narjis Amir, a British citizen and lawyer, in September 2016. The couple has three daughters named Minsa, Zoya, and Ayra. Reported data suggests he acquired British citizenship in May 2026.

Awards and recognition

Amir was a member of the Pakistan squad that won the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. He also secured a victory with the team during the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. In the final of that tournament, he took the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan.