Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket a couple of years ago, has been told by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee to be ready for a comeback to the national team.
Amir, who had made an impressive debut as a teenager in 2009, was banned for five years after being found involved in spot-fixing during a Test match against Australia in England. After serving out his jail time and the ban, he made a brilliant return to international cricket in 2016 and then helped Pakistan win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
The left-armer has not represented Pakistan since 2020 after quitting international cricket due to reported differences with then-head coach Misbah ul Haq.
Thus far, he has played 36 Tests, picking 119 wickets, 61 ODIs to take 81 wickets, and 50 T20Is to take 59 wickets.
PCB Asks Mohammad Amir To Prepare For An International Cricket
He has since been involved in T20 leagues all over the world, including Pakistan’s own PSL. Now, pakobserver.net has reported that Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) acting chief Najam Sethi is keen on giving Amir one final chance.
An important member of the Pakistan selection committee has contacted Mohammad Amir’s manager and asked him to communicate to the left-arm pacer to be prepared for an international comeback. The selector has asked Amir to focus on his cricket and refrain from giving unnecessary statements in the media, which might create controversy.
He was also asked to keep himself fit and train hard as the PCB will soon ask him to come out of his retirement.
Najam Sethi took charge back in PCB, the management committee chairman said in a media interaction that Amir would be considered for selection like other players, if he takes his retirement back.
“Mohammad Amir can play international cricket for Pakistan if he takes his retirement back. I always took a strong stance against match-fixing. I believe no convicted player should be spared, but at the same time, a player should be allowed to resume international cricket once he has completed his years of penalty,” said Sethi.
However, the board needs to take into consideration that Amir’s reputation has changed widely in international cricket and his reported discord with captain Babar Azam has been well documented.
Pakistan chief selector, Haroon Rasheed, in an interview with Cricket Pakistan had said: “In Amir’s case, I am not sure about his status. I have heard he is thinking of taking his retirement back. It is good that he is playing. If he continues to perform, he will be in contention for selection like other players.”
There is also the fact that Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and now Ihsanullah are ahead of him in the queue for consideration.