Pakistani left-arm pacer Muhammad Amir made a comeback into the ODI squad under the captaincy of Azhar Ali on Monday but fans did not shy away from sledging and booing him on the field with one of them even waving a dollar bill at him.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman (PCB) Shaharyar Khan, meanwhile, defended Amir after he bowled a wide off his first delivery back in ODIs.
“The board is fully supportive of Amir and he is now adjusting well into the team. His reintegration in the dressing room is going smoothly,” said Shaharyar.
The 23-year-old took three wickets in his comeback ODI but the spectators at the Basin Reserve did not restrain from taunting him. At one stage, the player who was most critical of the fast-bowler’s return into the national side, Mohammad Hafeez, came to Amir’s rescue when he was fielding at third man.
“Obviously what happened today is disturbing for Amir and the team but mentally they are prepared for these things and are strong enough to deal with such situations,” said Shaharyar.
Moreover, a source in the team said that the man who waved the bill was issued a stern warning.
“The spectator was then given a firm warning by the groundstaff and security. Amir has tried to take it on the chin but he is disturbed,” said the source, adding that Azhar and Hafeez were now helping Amir to reintegrate into the squad.
“Amir has repeatedly apologised to them and the rest of the players and has promised he will become a role model from now on,” the source added.
Amir returned to the Pakistan team for the tour to New Zealand after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing.
