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Legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram reckons that Pakistan should pick left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir in the national squad for the T20 World Cup scheduled later this year. Amir made a sudden retirement from international cricket in December 2020, after a fallout between the team management, accusing the PCB for disrespecting him. Although, he later withdrew his retirement, but has vowed to not make an international return unless changes are made in Pakistan’s team management.
The 54-year-old spoke that he is ‘very surprised’ to see that the national team management and selectors have sidelined Amir from World T20 squad, despite his experience to lead Pakistan to vital victories at ICC tournaments like the T20 World Cup 2009 and Champions Trophy 2017.
In World Cup events you need experienced bowlers: Akram bats from Amir’s inclusion
Pakistan’s all-time highest wicket-taker, Wasim Akram hailed Mohammad Amir as one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. Akram has been confident on Amir’s inclusion in Pakistan's national squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, given his experience at ICC events.
“In World Cup events you need experienced bowlers who can also advise and guide the younger bowlers. We need to have more impact players in the T20 squad, those who can play without fear of failure only then can we do well,” Akram added.
Akram backs Amir’s decision to retire from Test cricket
Former Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram opined that if Amir had decided to retire from Test cricket it was his own business and no one should take it in an offensive way. Amir announced his retirement from Test cricket, however he continues to play franchise cricket for Karachi Kings in PSL, where Akram is the Director of Cricket and Head Coach.
He further spoke that, too much fuss is created over Amir’s personal decisions. “Other players have done it but no one says anything about them. So why Amir? Other players also take time off for the birth of their child so what is the big deal,” quoted Akram.
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