Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has confirmed that his Pakistan cricket chapter is now closed after acquiring British citizenship, saying his new status prevents him from representing another country as a local player in English domestic competitions.
Amir, who retired from international cricket in December 2024, explained that becoming a British citizen has changed his eligibility in English domestic cricket. He can now play as a local in competitions such as the County Championship and The Hundred, but doing so comes with conditions that effectively rule out a return to Pakistan cricket as a local player.
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“I am a British local now. When you play in competitions such as the County Championship and The Hundred as a local player, you have to sign a document stating that you cannot play for another country as a local. So, the Pakistan chapter I had before is now closed,” Amir said in an interview with cricket journalist and YouTuber Muhammad Furqan Bhatti.
Amir obtained British citizenship through his marriage to Narjis Khan, who is a British citizen. He has lived in the UK for several years and has continued his cricket career through English domestic and franchise competitions following his international retirement.
Amir remains open to playing in PSL
While Amir has closed the door on a return to Pakistan cricket as a local player, he remains open to playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a foreign player.
His new citizenship does not prevent him from participating in the PSL under its overseas category. Amir had represented Rawalpindi in the 2026 edition of the tournament and has indicated that he remains interested in continuing to play in the competition.
His British status has already provided him with greater opportunities in English domestic cricket. Nottinghamshire signed Amir for the 2026 T20 Blast, where he did not occupy an overseas player slot. He subsequently represented the Trent Rockets in The Hundred, also as a local player.
The change is significant for Amir, who has remained active in franchise and domestic cricket despite stepping away from international cricket.
During his international career, Amir established himself as one of Pakistan’s leading left-arm fast bowlers. He took 259 wickets in 147 international matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
He was also part of Pakistan’s victorious 2017 Champions Trophy campaign, playing a key role with the ball in the final against India.
However, a return to Pakistan’s international setup is now off the table under his current status.
For Amir, the focus is instead likely to remain on franchise cricket and his career in England, where his British citizenship allows him to compete as a local.
His latest comments therefore mark a clear end to speculation about a Pakistan comeback, while leaving the door open for him to continue appearing in the PSL — albeit as a foreign player.
