‘I will discuss the problems he is facing when we meet during PSL’ – Babar Azam on Mohammad Amir's premature retirement

Mohammad Amir has been in the headlines ever since he announced his abrupt retirement from international cricket last year. The left-arm pacer took the major decision following a fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and team management. While several members of the cricket fraternity supported Amir in this episode, many also criticized him. Now, Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has also shed his opinion on the fast bowler’s retirement.

Stating that he hasn’t talked to Amir over this issue, Azam said he would discuss the problem with the pacer upon their meeting. Notably, Babar and Amir will share the Karachi Kings dressing room in the remaining season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021, which takes place in UAE. Hence, it would be interesting to see what their conversation results.

I’m hopeful that Mohammad Amir continues to perform well: Babar Azam

“I haven’t spoken to him yet [regarding retirement] but we will discuss the problems he is facing when I get the opportunity to talk to him,” said Babar in an interaction with Cricket Pakistan.

The 26-year-old further said that Amir is one of the finest fast bowlers going around and he would like to see the pacer perform in PSL 2021. “He is one of the best left-arm bowlers [in the world] and I really like him. I’m hopeful that he continues to perform well in the upcoming second half of PSL,” he asserted.

For the unversed, the tiff between Amir and Pakistan management started after the pacer had announced retirement from Test cricket after the 2019 World Cup. As per the veteran fast bowler, he was mentally tortured from the team management and this forced him to quit Pakistan cricket. The 29-year-old has now shifted to England with his family and is focusing on playing franchise cricket.

He’ll next be seen in PSL 2021, where he’ll join forces with Babar Azam and Karachi Kings skipper Imad Wasim. At the time of season postponement, the Kings were at the top of the team standings with three victories from five games. Hence, they would like to continue their winning momentum. However, the fate of the marquee tournament is still under dark clouds, with the resumption date unclear.