Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Mohammad Amir planning to settle down in UK after shock retirement

Left-arm Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, who quit Test cricket recently, is planning to obtain a British passport and settle down in the UK, a source said.

Amir has been married to a British national, Nargis Malik since September, 2016 and is eligible for a spouse visa, which allows him to stay in England for 30 months.


"He is clearly planning to obtain a British passport and permanently settle down in England in future," a well-informed source said.

"With a spouse visa he can work freely and enjoy other benefits as a permanent resident of UK which is why he is planning to also purchase a house in England," the source added.

Amir, 27, has plenty of cricket left and the news about his plans to settle down in the UK came as a surprise for his fans.

The source said Amir is eligible for the spouse visa despite spending some time in a juvenile jail for a few months during the spot-fixing scandal in 2010-2011.

"He travels to England regularly and also plays county cricket since last year. So, there are no hurdles for him now."

Amir announced his retirement from the longest format on Friday having played 36 Tests in his chequered career that saw him being banned for spot-fixing.

Amir's decision, however, to didn't go down well with Pakistani pace stalwarts, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.

Former captain Rameez Raja too was not impressed by Amir's decision.

Akram and Akhtar, in particular, hit out at Amir for retiring from Test cricket, noting that Pakistan had invested a lot in him and now was the time for the pacer to pay back to the country.

"I am disappointed and sad at his decision at this time. At 27 years of age he is at his peak and should been available for Pakistan in Test cricket," Akhtar said.

He said unfortunately the modern day pacers were only interested in playing T20 cricket and even avoided 50-overs cricket.

"I fear we might also see others like Hassan Ali and Wahab Riaz follow Amir in quitting test cricket."

Akram said he was surprised by Aamir's decision as Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and a cricketer attains greatness only by proving his worth in the longest format.

Amir's teammates have also been taken aback by his decision to quit Test cricket.

More For You

K Anis Ahmed

K Anis Ahmed’s new novel Carnivore is as imaginative as it is provocative

AMG

K Anis Ahmed’s 'Carnivore' serves up satire, class war and moral rot

From the blood-soaked backstreets of Dhaka to the polished kitchens of Manhattan’s elite, K Anis Ahmed’s new novel Carnivore is as imaginative as it is provocative. A satirical thriller steeped in class tension, culinary obsession and primal survival, Carnivore follows Kash, a Bangladeshi immigrant-turned-chef who launches a high-end restaurant serving exotic meats – only to become embroiled in a sinister world of appetite and ambition.

But this is no simple tale of knives and recipes. Ahmed – a seasoned journalist, publisher, and president of PEN Bangladesh – brings a sharp eye to the grotesqueries of power and privilege. In this exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, he speaks about his passion for food, the moral murkiness of his characters, and why even the most ordinary people can spiral into extraordinary darkness.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mahima Sharma cricket

In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach

wclegends.uk

Mahima Sharma brings bold new energy to cricket’s old guard

As the world prepares for the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), one of its most exciting franchises, the Meteora England Champions, is being led by a compelling force. Mahima Sharma is not just making her mark in cricket – she is quietly redefining leadership in a male-dominated industry.

In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach. She is strategic, deeply rooted in her love for the game, and proudly feminine. “Cricket has always felt like home to me,” she says. “I come from a culture where cricket is an emotion, and stepping into this role carries a great deal of responsibility. Growing up, I saw very few women leaders in cricket. To now find myself in this position 15 years later feels like coming full circle.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Turkey wildfires 2025

The Turkey wildfires have not been limited to Izmir

Getty Images

Turkey wildfires disrupt travel as Izmir airport closes

Key points

  • Tourists stranded after Foça wildfire halts flights at Izmir airport
  • At least 550 people evacuated from homes in the region
  • Over 600 personnel deployed to contain the blaze
  • Strong winds and heat raise risk of further fires

Wildfires force airport shutdown in Turkish holiday hotspot

Hundreds of UK tourists, including several from Glasgow, have been left stranded after major wildfires swept through a popular holiday destination in western Turkey, forcing the closure of Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

The blaze broke out in the resort town of Foça, near Izmir, and was rapidly intensified by strong winds, prompting large-scale evacuations and flight disruptions. All operations at the airport were suspended from 4 pm local time due to ongoing extinguishing efforts, with multiple flights reportedly diverted.

Keep ReadingShow less
Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

FILE PHOTO: A mother and daughter sit atop the Covid memorial wall on September 9, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

THE Covid inquiry has started examining how the pandemic affected care services for older and disabled people, with families describing the crisis as one of the worst failures of the pandemic.

Nearly 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales between March 2020 and January 2022, with many deaths happening in the first weeks of the outbreak.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" photocall

Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson calls out Hollywood’s history of hypersexualising young women

Quick highlights:

  • Scarlett Johansson says early roles focused on “desirability” and male-centred narratives
  • Notes positive shift in how women are portrayed in Hollywood today
  • Recalls being hypersexualised and typecast as a young actress
  • Currently stars in The Phoenician Scheme, with Jurassic World Rebirth out on 2 July

Scarlett Johansson has reflected on how Hollywood roles for women have evolved, admitting that early in her career, most of her characters were written to serve male-driven storylines. Speaking in an interview, the actress said the landscape has changed, with more nuanced opportunities for women on screen.

Keep ReadingShow less