Tag: Mohammad Amir

Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag heavily criticised Pakistan men’s team’s selector Wahab Riaz and accused him of favouritism.

Sehwag’s accusation of Wahab came in the wake of Mohammad Amir’s return to international cricket which eventually saw him representing the national team yet another T20 World Cup.

However, Amir’s comeback did not bring fortune to the Green Shirts as they suffered a group-stage exit for the first time.

Meanwhile, Virender Sehwag was irked by the fact that both Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, who previously criticised the team on national television, are now part of the setup.

“Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, these are two names who criticised the Pakistan team on the same TV channel, giving their comments…Today, one of them is a selector [Riaz] and one is in the playing eleven [Amir],” Sehwag said.

“So the same persons who were criticising, if today they have power, became the selector, what have they done first up? ‘Mohammad Amir was with me, let’s select him’. It’s like if Ajit Agarkar is chairman (of BCCI selection committee) today, he will say ‘come Viru, come Zak (Zaheer Khan)’, I will facilitate your comeback,” Sehwag added.

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Virender Sehwag then advised Pakistan selectors to focus on the team’s future and also to avoid favouritism.

“You have become a selector, you have to look at the future. You have a job, make the right use of it, don’t do favours. That hard step selectors will have to take,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan, the former champions, were knocked out of the group stage of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as a result of gut-wrenching defeats against the co-host United States of America (USA) and arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit and they then needed the USA to lose their remaining matches.

However, the abandonment of a crucial Group A fixture between USA and Ireland marked the end of Pakistan’s journey in T20 World Cup 2024 despite their triumphs over Canada and Ireland.

READ: Brandon King doubtful for T20 World Cup 2024 remainder

DALLAS: Left-arm experienced pacer Mohammad Amir on Thursday, revealed his goals to lead Pakistan’s star-studded pace attack at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Amir, who reversed his retirement earlier this year, lauded Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah for carrying the national team’s pace attack in his absence while stating that he always strives to lead from the front being the senior of them all.

“I am looking forward to playing here and perform well as a cricketer, whether it’s league cricket or international cricket, at the end of the day you have to perform. As a senior bowler, I will always try to lead from the front,” stated Amir.

“But if you look at Naseem, Haris, or Shaheen, they are performing well for the last four years. So, I have an extra responsibility to perform well for them and for the team.”

Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Ireland, Canada and the co-host United States of America (USA).

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The Green Shirts will kick start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against the USA here on Thursday before taking on arch-rivals India at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 9.

However, Mohammad Amir insisted that the team is unfazed by their opponents and is eyeing a perfect run in the group stage.

“You know what, for us it’s about ourselves,” Amir said. “We are here to win and we want to win every single game.

“This is World Cup cricket and there is no margin for error, we have to perform every single game.

“When you come to ICC Events, it’s a big challenge. But we are ready to accept that challenge and to perform well here.”

He further backed struggling all-rounder Shadab Khan and young wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan, asserting that the two have the ability to win the match single-handedly.

“I always say that the player who has performed and proved himself, never doubts his ability. Yes, there is a bad patch in cricket. And this happens with every cricketer. All the legends also if you see in the past, sometimes even they can’t perform well,” Amir said.

“And no on doubts on the ability and quality of Shadab and Azam. They play and perform all over the world. They are one game away – the kind of players that they are, they can single-handedly win the match for you.”

READ: Pakistan hold final training session ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has expressed his support for pace bowler Mohammad Amir, stating that his experience will be crucial for the Green Shirts in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, beginning on 1 June.

Amir made his return to international cricket last month during the home T20I series against New Zealand after taking back his retirement.

The left-arm pacer has taken four wickets in five matches during New Zealand and recently concluded Ireland series.

Misbah-Ul-Haq acknowledged that Amir may not be as effective as he once was but emphasised his potential to contribute to Pakistan with his experience.

“Last time back in 2017 in the Champions Trophy, there is quite a difference between that Amir and today’s Amir. Back then, there was more pace, more swing, more zip in his bowling. But now these factors might have been slightly reduced, but there is an advantage. He has huge experience,” Misbah-ul-Haq said while speaking during the Star Sports Press Room.

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The former captain spoke highly of the fast bowler’s skill in handling pressure and bowling in the final overs. He emphasized that Amir has demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure matches, especially against India.

“And his experience as a death bowler, how to bowl under pressure and use variations. These factors will be a crucial asset in Amir’s forte this time.

“He might not be that effective with the new ball, but in the death, he will be crucial with his slower balls, aimed at outside the off stump.

“And lastly, comes the major factor of pressure handling. In big games, where you have previously faced big teams and won games, it is more for Amir while facing India.”

Notably, Amir was part of Pakistan sides that won the T20 World Cup in 2009 under Younis Khan and Champions Trophy in 2017 under Sarfaraz Ahmed.

READ: Babar Azam vows to keep momentum going against England

LAHORE: Left-arm Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, on Thursday, finally received his visa for Ireland to participate in the three-match T20I series.

According to the details, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are currently engaged in arranging Mohammad Amir’s flight to Dublin at the earliest.

The left-arm pacer, due to a delay in the issuance of the visa will miss the first T20I and is expected to link up with the side on Friday.

“Fast bowler Mohammad Amir will miss the first T20I due to delays in the issuance of his visa. He is expected to join the side on Friday,” stated PCB in a press release.

On the contrary, the national men’s cricket team reached Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday morning via Dubai.

Pakistan squad, led by captain Babar Azam, travelled without Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, who linked up with the team in Dublin after participating in the County Championship.

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Notably, Mohammad Amir faced a similar situation during the tours of Ireland and England in 2018.

Amir recently made his comeback to international cricket during the home T20I series against New Zealand after he took back his retirement before the series.

Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Ireland name squads for Pakistan series, T20 World Cup 2024

LAHORE: Left-arm Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir on Tuesday, stated he has “unfinished work” at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in June in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Amir, who was part of the Pakistan side that won the title in 2009 in England, said his short-term goal is to win the title again for the country.

“It’s a great feeling to be playing for Pakistan again,” Amir told AFP.

“I want to complete the unfinished work and, for me, the short-term goal is to win the World Cup.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board and the team management have shown trust in me so I have to fulfil that trust.”

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The left-arm pacer, who returned to international cricket in the recently concluded five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, almost four years after announcing his retirement in December 2020, said he has started to feel to be a part of the attack again.

“I have come back after four years and when you play for your country the feeling cannot be described.”

“To be honest I felt fitter than in 2019 and until you are fit you cannot express yourself, so I am ready to do better and better.”

It is important to note that Pakistan have not yet announced their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 but Mohammad Amir is likely to make a cut.

He will accompany the national men’s cricket team on their tour to Ireland for three T20Is in Dublin on May 10, 12 and 14.

Pakistan will then travel to England where they will play a four-match T20I series before heading to the USA for the mega event.

The former champions will start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against co-host USA on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 9.

The Green Shirts will then take on Canada and Ireland in their remaining group-stage fixtures on June 11 and 16 respectively.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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Pakistan’s fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, will not be travelling with the team to Ireland on Tuesday night due to visa issues, team management confirmed on Monday.

The team will depart for Dublin at midnight on May 7 as scheduled, meanwhile, Amir will depart on the first available flight after obtaining the visa.

The star bowler faced a similar situation during the tours of Ireland and England in 2018 also.

Amir recently made his comeback to international cricket during the home T20I series against New Zealand after he took back his retirement before the series.

Notably, Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12, and 14 May 2024. All three matches will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Babar Azam reveals reason behind dropping Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris

LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf on Sunday heaped high praise on fellow pacer Mohammad Amir on his return to international cricket ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Rauf suffered a shoulder injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, consequently being sidelined for the remaining matches of the tournament as well as the T20I series against New Zealand.

He addressed the media on the sidelines of Pakistan’s training session for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, in a build-up to the T20 World Cup 2024.

“It is always difficult to return from an injury, however, I am fully fit and trying to get back in rhythm,” said Rauf.

The right-arm pacer then addressed Amir’s return to the national team and their competition.

“Muhammad Amir’s return has increased confidence within the team. He is a senior bowler and I get to learn a lot from him,” Rauf stated.

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“The team benefits when there is competition for spots between bowlers. You try to perform better than one another so that the team benefits,” he added.

The 30-year-old pacer also expressed his aim to win the World Cup for Pakistan, having played the semi-final and final in the 2021 and 2022 editions respectively.

“We played great cricket in the last World Cup, we reached the final. We are now trying not to repeat those mistakes. We will do our best to bring happiness to our people,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-match training session here ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland.

All three matches will be held at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024 and will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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LAHORE: Pakistan’s right-arm speedster Naseem Shah on Saturday, threw his weight behind fellow pacer Mohammad Amir on his return to international cricket ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Naseem addressed the media on the sidelines of the team’s training session for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, in a build-up to the T20 World Cup 2024.

He acknowledged Mohammad Amir’s wealth of experience in playing T20 leagues across the world and termed it beneficial for the team.

“Any player who contributes positively to Pakistan’s performance is pleasing to us. Amir has experience from playing in the leagues which is proving beneficial for the team.” Naseem said.

The right-arm pacer then highlighted the importance of performing well against every team in the World Cup and not just winning against the arch-rivals India.

“We must play top-notch cricket throughout the entire World Cup. Facing strong opponents drives us to strive harder for victory, and every team in the tournament is formidable,” he stated.

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Naseem Shah then expressed his anticipation for the cricket extravaganza and also his determination to help his team win the title.

“I’m fit and ready for the World Cup. I want to help my team win the tournament,” he said.

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s cricket team is currently participating in a three-match training session here ahead of their three-match T20I series against Ireland.

All three matches will be held at Clontarf in Dublin on 10, 12 and 14 May 2024 and will start at 3 PM local time.

The three-match away series, followed by four T20Is in England, will serve as a stepping stone for the Green Shirts to boast their preparations for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

READ: Imad denies rift with Babar, wants to win World Cup for Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Left-arm Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir revealed his “short-term goal” of making his return to international cricket after a gap of almost four years.

In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the pacer talked about his feelings about representing his country again, stating it feels like a debut series.

“I’m coming back after almost four years and whenever you play for your country, it gives a totally different. I’m feeling as if it is my debut series,” stated Amir.

He then credited the PCB and Shaheen Shah Afridi for putting faith in his abilities and convincing him out of international retirement. He further acknowledged that he would be under pressure to fulfil their trust.

“The credit goes to PCB, team management and Shaheen. So, they brought me back with such trust, that I would be under pressure to fulfil it,” stated Amir.

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Mohammad Amir then went on to reveal that winning this year’s T20 World Cup is his ultimate goal and also that he is upbeat to help Pakistan cross the finish line, having come up short in the last two editions.

“I debuted in 2009 when Pakistan became the world champion and after that, we played the 2017 Champions Trophy final and became the champions.

“So, the PCB and team management brought me back for a short-term goal,  the World Cup and that is the biggest goal at the moment.

“Because Pakistan team has played the semi-final in 2021 and in 2022, played the final. There’s one missing [element], which is to cross the line so if that happens, that would be a very big achievement for me that I’m part of that team,” he concluded.

Mohammad Amir then went on to comment about his fitness level and asserted he feels himself better than he was in 2019.

READ: Shaheen Shah Afridi breaks Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s T20 record

Former Pakistan pacer and national selector Wahab Riaz reacted to former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja’s remarks about left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir.

Pakistan’s newly-constituted seven-member selection committee announced a 17-member squad for the five-match home T20I series against New Zealand which saw the return of Amir.

Explaining Amir’s selection, Riaz highlighted the valuable experience Amir possesses and also his recent performances in the franchise league cricket including the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“Going forward, we have a lot of injury-prone players and Amir’s performance is also in front of everyone.

“PSL is one of the best tournaments from where you select players, especially for T20s, and if somebody is available, we should only take into account their performance and Amir is one of those choices.

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Wahab Riaz then went on to term Ramiz Raja’s statement regarding Mohammad Amir as “exceedingly harsh” but acknowledged the freedom of speech.

“Ramiz Raja’s remark regarding Mohammad Amir is exceedingly harsh and carries a distinctly negative connotation, yet everyone retains the freedom to voice their opinions,” stated Riaz.

Earlier, former Pakistan captain and renowned commentator did not mince his words while lashing out at Amir’s return to international cricket, stating once a player was involved in fixing should not be brought back.

“My opinion on this is very simple. While sympathy may exist for him [Amir], in my book there is no forgiveness. If God forbid my son was to engage in such actions, I would disown him,” Raja said on a local news channel.

“I remember the time when these players did fixing because I was doing commentary at Lord’s. People hated me because I was being identified with the fixers, in their opinion, and I can never forget the criticism we faced on media,” he added.

READ: Selection committee explains Azam Khan’s inclusion in Pakistan squad