Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shaharyar Khan quashed Mohammad Amir’s hopes of an early return to the national side, saying the left-arm pacer will not be considered for selection in the near future.
While addressing the media outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday, Khan said that the board was not in any hurry to make a decision on Amir even while acknowledging that the 23-year-old had made a case with consistent performances in domestic matches and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
“There is no doubt that Amir is performing really well but he needs to be monitored more,” said Khan.
Since his return, Amir has taken 22 wickets in a Grade II tournament before capturing an impressive 34 in the four qualifying matches of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy.
He then grabbed 17 wickets in Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam trophy.
In the Bangladesh Premier League, featuring for the Chittagong Vikings, Amir has picked up 11 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 14.45.
Khan also revealed that the selectors had suggested that Amir be included in the Pakistan ‘A’ squad for the ongoing unofficial T20 series against England Lions in Dubai.
The PCB chief also dismissed reports that Amir would feature in the series against India, should it take place.
Earlier, former captain and ambassador of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Ramiz Raja, who is critical of the PCB’s sympathy towards tainted fast bowler, said that if he had powers to make a call on the matter, he would have never let the young fast bowler play again.
“Pakistan cricket has suffered a lot. I don’t have courage to face any more shocks or jolts again. I have experienced this practically and those who have witnessed such things practically can’t forgive the characters involved in the act,” said Ramiz, in an interview with DawnNews.
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, who had a detailed discussion on Amir’s future with Shaharyar Khan on Thursday, however, backed Amir and said “we are all on the same page” about the young fast bowler’s future in international cricket.
“He (Amir) has served his punishment and he deserves to come back in the (cricketing) community and enhance his profession,” Waqar said.
Khan said that the remaining two of the spot-fixing convicted trio, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif will be allowed to play first-class cricket after February.
Earlier, a PCB spokesman verified that Butt and Asif had been officially granted permission to feature in the National One-Day Cup.
In September Butt and Asif signed with WAPDA before the Quaid-e-Azam trophy but were disallowed to play first-class cricket.