Wasim Akram believes it is premature to write off Mohammad Amir’s chances of making Pakistan’s 2019 ICC World Cup squad and is still hoping for the left-armed pacer to turn things around.
Amir has endured a miserable time in limited-overs cricket over the past two years or so with the pacer picking up just four wickets in 14 ODIs since the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final against India.
That poor form led to Amir missing the cut for Pakistan’s 15-man preliminary World Cup squad although the pacer will get one more chance to force his way in. The 27-year-old has been included in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against hosts England and could still make a case for himself with the deadline for finalising the World Cup squad being May 23.
“We can’t discount Amir from the World Cup,” Wasim Akram was quoted as saying by AFP.
“Amir would have been my first choice for the World Cup considering English conditions where he performs well.
Amir picked up 1-45 against Northamptonshire on Monday.
“I am confident that he will do well once his rhythm is back.”
Pakistan have included teenaged pacers Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain in their 15-man preliminary squad but Wasim Akram feels that Amir’s experience is necessary for a big tournament such as the World Cup.
“I am all for youth but experience has no substitute, so we should mix youth with experience,” the legendary Pakistan pacer stated.
“He (Amir) is a good learner so I hope things will come good for him sooner than later because Pakistan team needs him,” he added.
Amir is currently in England with the Pakistan ODI squad which beat Northamptonshire by eight wickets in their second tour game on Monday. The Men in Green had earlier beaten Kent by 100 runs in their first warm-up game of the tour.
Pakistan will lock horns with Leicestershire on Wednesday in their final tour game before they take on England in a one-off T20I followed by a five-match ODI series.
