Mohammad Amir: “Not only Imad, but these jeers have also been directed at Imam. Shan has faced similar jeers. Azam has also faced this. This behaviour needs to stop. When you come to watch cricket, watch cricket, and enjoy it”
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Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir has urged fans to stop verbally abusing star players like Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq and Imad Wasim.
He noted that all these players are giving their best whenever they step on the field and deserve to be cheered on.
Amir added that the fans should keep backing the national team regardless of whether they win or lose as that is what sport is about – supporting the players through thick and thin.
“Not only Imad, but these jeers have also been directed at Imam. Shan has faced similar jeers. Azam has also faced this. This behaviour needs to stop. When you come to watch cricket, watch cricket, and enjoy it,” he was quoted as saying by PakPassion.
“My fans are also passionate, and conflicts arise. But I urge the fans once again, let cricket remain cricket. Regardless of which star you support, just come to the ground and cheer for them. My fans come to support us, as we have all served Pakistan. He [Babar] is serving Pakistan too. Ultimately, we are all Pakistanis, right? Come to the ground, support him, show your emotions whether he wins or loses.”
Azam and Masood are currently involved in the two-Test series against Bangladesh, in which Pakistan trail 1-0 after losing the first Test by 10 wickets.
In that game, Azam made scores of 0 and 22, while Masood struck 6 and 14.
The second Test began on August 30 in Rawalpindi and Azam and Masood scored 31 and 57 respectively in the first innings.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi