Wasim Akram Feels This Fast-Bowler Should Come Out Of Retirement For Pakistan

Pakistan's fast bowling legend and the king of swing bowling, Wasi Akram feels that retired cricketer, Mohammed Amir should be part of Pakistan's team for the upcoming white-ball World Cups. Do you agree with him?

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Karachi: Pakistan's cricket is filled with controversies and gossips as a lot of current and former cricketers indulge in discussions about other players, But, this time Wasim Akram has a positive suggestion for the  Pakistan cricket team who is not going through the best of times.  “I still think he (Mohammed Amir) should have a place in the Pakistan side," said Akram in an interview with Cricket Pakistan. 

Mohammed Amir retired on December 17 2021 from all forms of international cricket has shifted his base to the United Kingdom. He is soon going to apply for British citizenship that will allow him to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

"We have three white-ball World Cups in the coming years, I have been saying for a long time that bowlers come in packs. When you have a senior bowler in the pack, he can guide the young bowlers in pressure situations by talking with them. They can have quite an impact by giving them confidence and providing them with options. When I had a senior bowler guiding me as a young bowler, I had Imran bhai and I would ask him before every ball. It gives you that added confidence when a senior bowler tells you to do something. I think that is also why Amir is so important,” Akram added.

The 28-year old pacer retired from all forms of international cricket after he was dropped from the 35-member squad. He had his differences with the Pakistan selection committee as dealing with them was like "mental torture" for him. Mohammad Amir said being left out of the Pakistan squad for their ongoing tour of New Zealand was a 'wake-up' call for him and he has decided not to continue at the international level.

Wasim Akram is right in many ways. Even India's pace attack has been picking up from senior bowlers and adjusting to international conditions. Like Zaheer, Agarkar learned from Venkatesh Prasad and co. Ishant, Bhuvi learnt from Zaheer and co, similarly, the current generation s also learning from the senior bowlers. Having a senior bowler in the team really helps and Wasim Akram mentions this very reason to justify Amir's presence in the team. 

“Amir should ask himself what his plans are for the future. He should ask himself what his personal goals are. He can get any league in the world. He is still one of the top bowlers in world T20 cricket. He has a ton of experience and he is still young. If he retired from Test cricket by the way, it was his problem. It was his decision. Why are we going against someone because he retired? A player knows about his own body, especially a bowler. Test cricket is not easy. If you haven’t played first-class cricket for five years, then your muscles aren’t used to bowling for that long. Amir should just play his cricket. There is no point to all of this. He said what he had to say and explained his point of view. Now he should just play cricket and enjoy his family life as well,” Akram said ahead.