Amir’s comment on dropped catches draws criticism from management

Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir was cautioned by the team management on Thursday over his earlier comments on dropped catches during the New Zealand Test series.

According to reports, the management mulled over Amir’s comments that “dropped catches off his bowling disappoint and frustrate him but affect the team more”, and instructed the pacer to refrain from issuing such statements in the future.

Amir, in an interview to ESPNcricinfo during the second Test in Hamilton, had expressed his frustration at the many catches dropped off his bowling in the series. The pacer had three easy chances missed off his bowling in the Hamilton Test: two in the slips and one at midwicket.

“Yes, it affects the bowler when you run from 22 yards and your catch is dropped – you’re disappointed and frustrated,” Amir had said. “But it affects the team more than the individual. I’ve been very unlucky, but I try to be a team man.

“It’s difficult to keep count, but I think at least 12-13 catches have gone down off my bowling in Tests and about six-seven catches have been dropped in the shorter formats as well,” he had said.

The Pakistan team management, however, did not take these comments well and instructed Amir to refrain from giving such statements.

Since his return to international cricket after suspension, Amir has had at least 11 catches dropped off his bowling in Test matches.