Mohammad Amir: Player Profile of the Pakistan Left-Arm Quick

Early life and rise

Mohammad Amir was born in 1992 in Gujjar Khan, Pakistan. He emerged as a teenager in 2009, quickly drawing attention for his ability to swing the ball at pace, and he played in the 2009 World T20 final as a very young player.

Playing style

Amir is a left-arm fast-medium bowler whose main weapons are swing and a sharp seam position. He is at his best with the new ball, curving it both ways, and he can dismiss top-order batters in the first few overs. He also bats left-handed lower down the order.

Career highlights

His early career was exceptionally promising, and he took wickets at a rapid rate in Test cricket in 2010. That year, however, he was banned from cricket for five years after being found guilty of spot-fixing during a Test in England, and he served a period in a young offenders’ institution in the United Kingdom.

After the ban ended, Amir returned to international cricket in 2016. He was a key figure in Pakistan’s victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy, taking the early wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan in the final against India at The Oval.

He retired from Test cricket in 2019 and from international cricket in 2020, but later reversed his decision and returned to the Pakistan side in 2024, appearing at the T20 World Cup that year.

Legacy

Mohammad Amir’s story is one of exceptional talent, a damaging fall and a determined comeback. He remains one of the most talked-about fast bowlers of his generation, remembered both for his early brilliance and for his match-winning spell in the 2017 final. His career is often cited in discussions of integrity in cricket and of the potential for redemption in sport.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mohammad Amir best known for?

He is known for his swing bowling, his early rise as a teenager and his spell against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

Why was Mohammad Amir banned?

He received a five-year ban in 2010 after being found guilty of spot-fixing during a Test match in England.

What kind of bowler is Mohammad Amir?

He is a left-arm fast-medium bowler who specialises in swing.