Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Amir spoke about the challenges of playing back-to-back matches in the fast-paced International League T20 (ILT20). Amir admitted that there is no guarantee that his body will allow him to play every game of the ongoing ILT20 2025.
The left-arm pacer is currently representing 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 win in the Champions Trophy in 2017, made it clear that his availability in the league is entirely dependent on his fitness.
Mohammad Amir opens up about fitness struggles in fast-paced franchise leagues
He said every player takes care of him, but that doesn't mean they can't get injured. Mohammad Amir was quoted by the Times of India as saying, “It is never guaranteed that I will play all the matches because it is cricket; it is the fastest format and there are consecutive 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 the end of 2020, he also quit white-ball cricket, citing “mental torture” and “poor treatment” by management Pakistan team. But his love for the game led to a dramatic comeback for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
However, Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign ended in disappointment and just 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 time on the international stage and said it is now the youth's turn to shine and take responsibility for the team's future.
Amir further explained: “In fact, we now have such good young players who are delivering and playing regularly. It's their time. And I think that those who have to serve the country for 5-10 years, it is their right to occupy that place. I debuted in 2009 and it has been so many years playing international cricket. Now, it's time for young people to take this forward.”
The fiery pacer said the demanding schedule forced him to prioritize franchise leagues over international cricket. Amir said his fitness was not an issue in white-ball cricket but the continuous grind of international and league cricket made things difficult for him. The Pacer noted that every player has to manage their workload as they get older.
There's no guarantee that an injury won't happen even after you've done everything: Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir further explained, “In white-ball cricket, I never had a fitness problem; sometimes it can, only in the longer formats. Rest becomes very limited due to continuous back-to-back cricket, international cricket and league cricket. It becomes very difficult to manage all this. So at that point you have to choose which format you can serve more and where your body can get the necessary rest. This is what goes on in a player's mind.”
The Pakistani bowler stressed that every player manages their fitness and training, but injuries remain an unpredictable part of the game. Amir concluded by saying, “Yes, as a professional, it is your duty to take care of your fitness, diet and training. We do that and meet the requirements, but there's no guarantee that an injury won't happen.”