Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has failed to make the cut in the 15-member provisional squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales starting from May 30. However, everything is still not over for the fiery fast bowler. Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur and skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed echoed the same voice saying that Amir’s performance in the upcoming series against England will decide his fate.
The selectors headed by former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq preferred young pacer Mohammad Hasnain over Mohammad Amir. Hasnain’s ability to clock 150 kph consistency earned him the World Cup spot. On the other hand, Amir has been inconsistent over the past two years. Since his match-winning spell against India in Champions Trophy final in 2017, Mohammad Amir’s graph has drastically gone down.
In the last two years, he has picked only five wickets bowling 101 overs at an average of 92.60 per wicket. Amir’s record is the worst among all bowlers who have sent down at least 600 balls in this period. The second-worst specialist fast bowler in this period in terms of wickets taken to runs conceded is England’s Mark Wood, and he averages 47.75, nearly twice as good as Amir. However, Mohammad Amir put all this behind and come out with a new zeal in the upcoming series against England. Pakistan plays one T20I and a five-match ODI series ahead of the marquee event.
Amir working hard in the nets: Sarfaraz
Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan skipper said that Mohammad Amir still has an opportunity to break into the final 15 for the showpiece event. Sarfaraz said that Amir has been putting in the extra yard in the practice and has bowled well. They will be keen to give him an opportunity in England and see how he reacts before taking a final call.
“Amir has an opportunity in the England series [to make the final cut],” Sarfaraz said at the PCB headquarters in Lahore. “He has been working hard here and has shown that in his bowling in the training camp. In the practice match yesterday, he looked good while bowling. We will try to provide him an opportunity in England so he can perform.
“It will be a good competition amongst our pacers. We have taken six fast-bowlers so we can rotate and not put any of them under pressure,” he added.
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In conclusion, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur also shared words of praise for the experienced fast bowler. Arthur said that Mohammad Amir has done well in the last few weeks and deserves an opportunity in England to prove why he needs to be in the World Cup squad.
“He is running well and his attitude has been outstanding,” said Arthur of Amir. “He’s been brilliant in the last couple of weeks and he will have opportunities in England to show us he still deserves a spot in the World Cup squad,” he concluded.