Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has backed the Dubai Cricket Council chairman Rahman Falaknaz’s offer to host a bilateral series between India and Pakistan in the UAE but said that the third parties can’t do anything until the governments of the two countries agree.
India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2012-13 due to the political tensions between the two neighbors, and only play in the ICC and ACC events, hence whenever the two arch-rivals meet on the field, the intensity and interest of both fans and players is at their highest.
The two cricketing giants recently met at the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE, and earlier this week, the Dubai Cricket Council chairman expressed their desire to host the bilateral series between India and Pakistan.
Amir said in a press release issued by Abu Dhabi T10: “It is a good gesture and we should thank him. But until the governments from the two countries do not sit down to discuss their problems, till then the third parties cannot do anything. It also depends on the cricket boards of both the nations and what their thought process is. If all parties agree, and if there is a bilateral series between India and Pakistan in Dubai, it will be great for the sport.”
On being asked about the speculations on a possible comeback, he said: “I was in contact with Wasim Khan. There is new management and chairman at PCB. I have not spoken to any of them. You have to keep your self-respect and if I say I will come out of retirement and the board has no plans for me to return, then it would not be fair. So, at this point, I am focused on T10 and other cricket leagues.”
The 29-year-old pacer also lauded Babar Azam-led Pakistan team’s performance in the T20 World Cup 2021 while mentioning Team India’s early exit from the showpiece event in the UAE.
He further said, “Our team went to World Cup after New Zealand series and England series were canceled. Coaches came in contracts of one-two months. There was a change in management. Performing in this environment is a big achievement. Even India, who were playing Indian Premier League in UAE, was not able to qualify for the semifinal stages.”
Amir also lashed out at the trolls for criticizing Hassan Ali for dropping Matthew Wade’s catch in the semifinals against Australia.
He signed off by saying, “Those who troll have no cricket sense. Every player has dropped catches in their career, and Hasan is a good fielder. Also, we did not lose the match because of the dropped catch. You cannot troll this team, you can only give them credit for how well they played.”
(With PTI Inputs)
