Pakistan captain Babar Azam open to discussing Mohammad Amir’s issues with pacer: I admire him

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said on Tuesday that he will be open to have a discussion with Mohammad Amir about the pacer’s issues with the team management that led him announcing his retirement from international cricket.

Babar Azam stressed Mohammad Amir is one of the best left-arm pacers going around and he expects the star fast bowler to do well for Karachi Kings when the remainder of the Pakistan Super League season resumes in the UAE later this month.

Mohamad Amir had retired abruptly from international cricket last year, citing mistreatment from the national team management. He had criticised head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis, saying he faced mental torture while playing under them. Amir also had said he would never return to playing cricket until the current management left its role.

Amir will be turning up for Karachi Kings wherein he will play under Babar Azam.

“When we talk, we’ll discuss what his issues [with the national side] are,” Babar said, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“He’s one of the best left-arm bowlers and I really admire him. The way he’s performed in the PSL so far, I just hope he performs the same way again, and that’s what we are focused on so far,” he added.

Amir picked up 4 wickets in 5 matches for Karchi Kings before PSL 2021 season was suspended in March due to positive Covid-19 cases in bio-bubbles.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had backed Amir to feature in the T20 World Cup squad for Pakistan later this year. He backed Amir’s decision to retire from Tests and focus on white-ball cricket, slamming those who criticise him for the said move.

“I am very surprised because Amir is a very experienced bowler and one of the best in the world in T20 cricket. Personally I think he should be in Pakistan’s World T20 squad,” Akram told a TV channel, as quoted by PTI.