Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has advised Mohammad Amir to be matured, sort out his differences with the national team management and make a return to international cricket.
After announcing his Test retirement in 2019 to prolong his white-ball career, Amir eventually bid adieu to international cricket last year, citing that he was “being mentally tortured” by the team management.
The left-arm pacer has made it clear that he will not make himself available for selection until head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis are in charge.
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“Amir should have realized that ‘papa’ Mickey Arthur will not always be there to safeguard him and he has to now grow up,” Akhtar told PTV.
“You must be matured enough to realise that the management is not going to act according to my wishes. Therefore now I have to raise my performance and level of hard work,” he added.
Shoaib also cited the example of Mohammad Hafeez to put forward his point.
“The management was also against Hafeez. But he just made runs and nothing else. He didn’t give the management an envelope full of cash. Amir should learn that from Hafeez,” he stated.
Mohammad Amir, who returned to Pakistan cricket after serving a spot-fixing ban, has signed a contract to play in the Caribbean Premier League for Barbados Tridents. He will also ply his trade for Karachi Kings in the second leg of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Abu Dhabi next month.
Shoaib Akhtar reminded Amir that he should be grateful to PCB for his return to international cricket.
“This is a favor the PCB did for Amir. To his credit, Amir won some crucial matches for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy which included the final but after that his performances deteriorated.”
Akhtar also supported coach Misbah’s stand on Amir.
“Misbah is right when he says that Amir’s pace has gone down. There is nothing wrong with that assessment,” he said.
“I don’t think the team management was unfair with Amir. They gave him ample chances before he was dropped from the team.”
(With PTI inputs)
