Shoaib Akhtar: “I believe that Amir is indebted to the Pakistani people and nation because many, including the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have invested a lot in him”
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Legendary Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar has revealed that left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir must give it his all during the limited overs series against England if he wants to have any chance of being included in the finalised World Cup squad.
Amir was left out of the initial World Cup squad announced last week.
The decision to snub him is likely due to his abysmal form in ODIs since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in June 2017.
From then until now, Amir has only taken five wickets in 14 matches at a dismal average of 92.60.
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However, since Pakistan are allowed to make changes to their World Cup squad without permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC) until May 23, Amir has the opportunity to get into the 15-man squad for the tournament.
But, he will have to excel during the limited overs series against England, which will consist of a one-off Twenty20 International and five ODIs, and run from May 5 to 19.
Akhtar admitted that if Amir fails to feature at the World Cup, it will be “a very sad scenario for him” and a huge disappointment to a lot of people in Pakistan.
“I believe that Amir is indebted to the Pakistani people and nation because many, including the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have invested a lot in him morally and financially and have worked very hard to bring him back to international cricket,” Akhtar was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “So he should realize that he needs to put all his energy into making the Pakistan squad.
“If Amir does not get included in the World Cup [squad], then it is going to be a very sad scenario for him. At the same, I think that Amir should go to the World Cup.”
Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31.
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