You Peak At 27: Akram, Akhtar Lash Out At Amir Post Test Retirement

Pakistan star paceman Mohammed Amir announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, saying he wants to focus on white-ball cricket for Pakistan. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed disappointment at Mohammad Amir's decision to retire from Test cricket at a young age, saying that the young speedster shouldn't have hung his boots from Test cricket so early as that is when a fast bowlers peaks. "To me Mohammad Amir retiring from Test cricket is a bit surprising because you peak at 27-28 and Test cricket is where you are judged against the best, it's the ultimate format," Akram tweeted on Friday.

To me Mohammad Amir retiring from Test cricket is a bit surprising because you peak at 27-28 and Test cricket is where you are judged against the best, it’s the ultimate format. Pakistan will need him in two Tests in Australia and then three in England.

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) July 26, 2019

Amir who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2009, played 36 Tests and took 119 wickets at an average of 30.47. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also slammed Amir after he decided to quit Test cricket for Pakistan. "Mohammad Amir retirement could be followed by Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Juanid Khan's retirement. I don't understand what is happening with the Pakistan team. How could Mohammad Amir retire at the age of 27? Pakistan has invested so much on him and brought him out of the match-fixing scandal to the national side and is trying to give him chances. Now that he was in good form, he has retired," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel. Former skipper Ramiz Raja also echoed Akram's sentiments and tweeted: "Amir white flagging Test Cricket at 27 is disappointing. Besides being dismissive of the greatest format that makes stars & legends his decision is clearly not in in line with the needs of Pak ckt which is desperately looking to reboot test cricket. Was time to repay & not eject. (sic.)"