Legendary fast bowler and incumbent Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has said that Muhammad Amir has completed his punishment and now he deserves a second chance so he needs backing of the whole nation.
“We should all back Muhammad Amir,” said Waqar while talking to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, “It’s human to make mistakes, and when somebody has made mistakes and people have been forgiven, I think it’s time to move on.”
Waqar also pointed towards the support that Amir received from international players. “Even the likes of Brendon McCullum support his comeback,” he said, adding, “Now it’s time we should all back him as a team, as a coach, as a nation.”
The Burewala Express asked the cricket fans to remain patient, as it will be unfair to expect so much from the 23-year-old, who is making a comeback to the national side after more than five years.
“We all need to give Amir some time,” said Waqar, adding, “Don’t put too much pressure on him.”
Waqar said that he did not agree with the stance of ODI captain Azhar Ali and veteran Mohammad Hafeez, saying, “It was their point of view, and I have a different point of view.” “We live in a democratic world, where people can have different opinions,” he went on to say.
“We know that in the recent past, our performances in the shorter formats are the cause of concern,” said Waqar. “That is why we are putting our focus on fielding and power hitting during the training camp.”
When asked specifically about players talking out of turn to the media, Waqar likened the team to a family and that it made him “feel sorry” to read about internal differences in the papers.
“This is a family environment, you are talking about family, you don’t go out and tell,” he said.
“I think the board should also look into this situation.”
Waqar also blamed the media for “blowing up” issues, saying when people lived together for three-quarters of a year, a “few odd things happen here and which is normal and common”.
At the same time, his unhappiness over players airing their views in public was obvious. “They should concentrate on the job they were given rather than talking about these things,” he said.
“As long as it stays within the walls, stays within the dressing room, it is good. But when it comes out in the media – which is so much now – then it hurts a little bit.”
