Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir - Bowler
Mohammad Amir is a left-arm pace bowler who once represented Pakistan at the highest level. Early in his career, he was viewed as one of the brightest fast-bowling talents the country had produced in years. His rapid rise suggested a long and successful future, but his progress was abruptly halted after his involvement in a spot-fixing controversy, which forced him away from professional cricket for a significant period.
Mohammad Amir: Sporting Career
Amir was born on April 13, 1992, in Gujar Khan, Pakistan, and was raised in a large household. His passion for cricket developed at a very young age, and the sport quickly became the center of his life. When he was just 11 years old, former Pakistani sports figure Sir Asif Bajwa noticed his potential and helped him gain admission to a local cricket academy, where Amir began formal training.
During various development camps, Mohammad Amir’s natural ability, discipline, and determination stood out. His performances attracted the attention of legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram, who recognized the teenager’s promise. By the age of 15, Amir had secured a place in Pakistan’s Under-19 squad. In 2007, he made a strong impression during his first One Day International series against England, claiming eight wickets at an average of 16.37 – an achievement that marked the beginning of his rapid ascent in international cricket.
In 2008, Amir made his debut in first-class cricket while representing the Federal Areas team. The following year proved to be a turning point, as he broke into the senior national side and appeared in all three major international formats. He made his Twenty20 International debut against England on June 7, 2009, followed by his Test debut versus Sri Lanka on July 4, 2009. Later that month, on July 30, he played his first One Day International against the same opponent, completing a remarkable introduction to top-level cricket.
After an explosive start in 2009, Mohammad Amir quickly cemented his place in the national side. A left-arm bowler by delivery and a fast bowler by trade, he proved to be far more than a one-dimensional player. On the field, he was equally effective with the new ball and in containment, and he became known for his aggressive, high-intensity style. Among his key achievements are:
- A crucial contribution to Pakistan’s triumph at the World T20 2009 (including the famous opening over in the final);
- Man of the Match honors in the 2010 Test series against Australia;
- One of the youngest players to reach the milestone of 50 Test wickets;
- 2016 – became the only bowler to claim a hat-trick in the Pakistan Super League, playing for Lahore Qalandars;
- 2017 – won the ICC Champions Trophy as part of the Pakistan national team.
At the club level, Mohammad Amir has turned out for a wide range of teams, including:
Pakistan Cricket Academy, National Bank of Pakistan, Essex, Federal Areas Leopards, Imtiaz Ahmed’s XI, Khulna Tigers, Maratha Arabians, Pakistan Cricket Board Patrons XI, Rawalpindi, Sui Southern Gas Corporation, Chittagong, Federal Areas, Galle Gladiators, Karachi Kings, London Spirit, Sind, and Dhaka Platoon.
In 2025, while playing for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, Amir reached the landmark of 400 wickets in T20 cricket. This made him the second Pakistani bowler in history to hit that mark, underlining both his effectiveness and remarkable career longevity.
Mohammad Amir: The Scandal and Interesting Facts
A rapid climb up the ranks and sudden fame went to the talented bowler’s head. In August 2010, the British newspaper News of the World published allegations that Amir, along with teammates Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, had been involved in spot-fixing – betting-related manipulation of specific moments in matches. Court proceedings later confirmed the claims in full, and all three players were punished.
Mohammad Amir received a five-year ban from cricket and a six-month prison sentence. As a result of the suspension and the enforced break, Amir was effectively absent from international cricket between 2010 and 2015. After serving his punishment, he made a comeback to professional sport.
Amir officially brought his international career to an end in 2024 following Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup 2024. His decision was measured and motivated by a desire to make room for the younger generation. That said, as mentioned earlier, his club career is still ongoing.
To wrap things up, here are a few interesting facts from the cricketer’s life, along with brief personal notes:
- Amir’s idols are legendary Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram and South African batsman Hashim Amla;
- In his spare time, he enjoys surfing and listening to mellow, laid-back music;
- He is married to lawyer Narjis Khatoon, who provided him with legal support during the court proceedings. The couple has two daughters, Minsa and Zoya.
Mohammad Amir is also highly active on social media. His Instagram account, run under the handle @official.mamir, has over 2 million followers, and he has recently launched his own TikTok channel.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Balls bowled | Wickets | Bowl Avg | Best Bowl | Catches |
| Test | 36 | 751 | 13.41 | 48 | 7 619 | 119 | 30.48 | 6/44 | 4 |
| ODI | 61 | 363 | 18.15 | 73 | 3 013 | 81 | 29.63 | 5/30 | 1 |
| T20I | 62 | 65 | 7.22 | 21 | 1 321 | 71 | 21.94 | 4/13 | 0 |
| T20 (all) | 340 | 429 | 6.92 | 30 | 7 365 | 403 | 22.27 | 6/17 | 35 |
| List A | 84 | 413 | 18.71 | 73 | 4 244 | 123 | 26.66 | 5/30 | 2 |
| FC | 69 | 1 384 | 15.73 | 66 | 12 796 | 266 | 22.63 | 7/6 | 13 |