Former Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir has opened up about the challenges of playing back-to-back matches in the fast-paced International League T20 (ILT20). Amir admitted that there’s no guarantee that his body will allow him to play every game in the ongoing ILT20 2025.
The left-arm pacer is currently representing the Desert Vipers in the ongoing ILT20 2025, where he has so far bowled eight overs in two matches, claiming two wickets—both in fiery opening spells. Amir, who played a key role in Pakistan’s historic Champions Trophy victory in 2017, has made it clear that his availability in the league totally depends on his body.
Mohammad Amir opens up on fitness struggles in fast-paced franchise leagues
He said that every player takes care of him, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get injured. Mohammad Amir was quoted as saying by Times of India: “This is never guaranteed that I will play all the matches because it’s cricket; it’s the fastest format, and there are back-to-back games. At the end of the day, we are human beings.”
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Notably, Amir retired from Test cricket in 2019 to manage his workload, and by late 2020, he quit white-ball cricket as well, citing “mental torture” and “poor treatment” by Pakistan team management. But his love for the game led to a dramatic comeback for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
However, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign ended in disappointment, and just a few months after his comeback, the star pacer stunned fans again by announcing his retirement from international cricket in December 2024.
Mohammad Amir reveals why he prioritized leagues over International cricket
Reflecting on his decision, Mohammad Amir feels he has had his time on the international stage and said that it is now the youngsters’ turn to shine and take responsibility for the team’s future.
Amir further explained, “Actually, we now have such good young players who are delivering and playing regularly. It’s their time. And I believe that those who have to serve the country for 5-10 years, it’s their right to fill that spot. I made my debut in 2009, and so many years have passed playing international cricket. Now, it’s time for the youngsters to carry this forward.”
The fiery pacer said that the demanding schedule forced him to prioritize franchise leagues over international cricket. Amir said that his fitness was not an issue in white-ball cricket, but the continuous grind of international and league cricket made things tough for him. The pacer noted that every player has to manage his workload with the growing age.
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There’s no guarantee that an injury won’t happen even after doing everything: Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir further explained, “In white-ball cricket, I never had a fitness issue; sometimes maybe yes, only in the longer formats. Rest becomes very limited because of the continuous back-to-back cricket, international cricket, and league cricket. It becomes really difficult to manage all of that. So, at that time, you have to pick and choose which format you can serve more and where your body can get the required rest. This is what goes on in a player’s mind.”
The Pakistan bowler emphasized that every player manages his fitness and training, but injuries remain an unpredictable part of the game. Amir signed off by saying, “Yes, as a professional, it’s your duty to take care of your fitness, diet, and training. We do that, and we meet the requirements, but there’s no guarantee that an injury won’t happen.”