Mohammad Amir's injury puts his World XI series participation in doubt

Playing for Essex in the current County season, Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir had earlier sustained a back injury in the game against Somerset. And thus he failed a fitness test conducted by the team. As a result, Essex Cricket have roped in the services of 20-year-old, right-arm pacer Sam Cook as a replacement for the game against Lancashire.

Amir has displayed tremendous form in the County Championship Division so far. In fact, the pacer made a mark already after he claimed a 10-wicket haul against Yorkshire. He also left no stone unturned when it came to representing Essex in the NatWest T20 Blast. He was also named the player of the month for his stupendous performance in the tournament.

He expressed his gratitude to the fans for all the support they lent. He took to Twitter and wrote, “Shukar Alhumdulilah for being player of the week and player of the month will continue my hard work but would always need ur prayers,”

However, what’s concerning for Amir is that the World XI tour to Pakistan for the Independence Cup is round the corner and the backdrop of his injury might hurt his prospects of playing at home for the first time. He had earlier expressed his eagerness to play in Pakistan in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“For myself playing international cricket in Pakistan for the first time, is my life’s best moment. It is a great opportunity for Pakistanis who have been deprived of international cricket for so long, to get a chance to see international and national stars, and support both the teams,” Amir said.

The World XI is scheduled to play three T20 Internationals against Pakistan on 12, 13 and 15th of September. Hence, Amir would be looking forward to regaining full fitness before the visitors step foot in Lahore.