Difficult for Mohammad Amir to make international comeback without working in domestic setup: Waqar Younis

Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis feels it’s difficult for Mohammad Amir to make a comeback in the national team without doing well in the domestic setup. The left-arm pacer announced a shocking retirement from all forms of cricket in the year 2020, after citing mental torture from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He initially only called it quits from the Test format, only to prolong his career in the white-ball formats. But, constant trouble with the Board didn’t help his cause.

The left-arm pacer was last seen in the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He didn’t set the stage on fire, as he had a mediocre tournament for Karachi Kings, picking up just five wickets in 11 games. That’s the reason why Younis feels, Amir’s return to the team is a difficult task, due to lack of match practice in the domestic circuit.

Earlier this year, the 29-year-old met PCB chief executive Wasim Khan, which sparked rumors as to whether Amir would make a comeback in the team during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 to be held in the UAE. The Pakistan bowling coach lauded Amir’s efforts but, also had a word of caution for the fast bowler.

“No doubt he’s a fine cricketer, but if he doesn’t want to take his retirement back and impress selectors by playing cricket, it will be hard,” Younis told reporters via videoconference from England on Monday.

“It’s Pakistan cricket, it’s not yours or my cricket (team), you have to do the right things to play for your country. This is not a franchise cricket and one got to remember that.”

Waqar Younis unaware of the conversation between Mohammad Amir and Wasim Khan

The former Pakistan fast bowler, however, said he was not aware of the Amir having a discussion with the PCB chief executive and told the left-arm pacer was entitled to meet anyone and it’s ultimately his wish.

“To be honest I didn’t know about this (meeting),” he said. “He (Khan) is head of the cricket and he has every right to meet whosoever he wants to see; he went there in his personal capacity and we didn’t know about it.”