PCB has done 'injustice' with Junaid Khan by preferring Mohammad Amir over him for England series: Aaqib Javed

To brace the field in their first cricket assignment amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan are scheduled to take part in a three-match Test series against England, followed by three T20Is. The series will be played under a biosecure environment and all players will abide by the new ICC interim regulations to curb COVID-19 risk.

Ahead of the much-awaited series, pacer Mohammad Amir had withdrawn from the series to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. However, after the birth of his daughter, he announced his decision to re-join the side and the left-arm quick was included in the Pakistan squad as a replacement for Haris Rauf, who had repeatedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Following Amir’s inclusion in the squad, Pakistan’s former cricketer, Aaqib Javed has lashed out at the PCB for ignoring Junaid Khan. According to Javed, the Pakistan board seems to be favouring Amir for no apparent reason. He also termed it as ‘injustice’ with Junaid Khan, saying that Amir has been struggling since his comeback post the spot-fixing ban.

Amir has always struggled since his comeback: Aaqib Javed

“PCB and the selection committee are fans of Mohammad Amir. He is always preferred for some reason. If you compare Junaid Khan’s performance with Amir, then Junaid is not behind but in fact better.

Injustice has been done with Junaid and he has been ignored for no reason. PCB brought Amir back after that incident [spot-fixing ban] and since then he has given only one noteworthy performance, which was in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Apart from that, Amir has always struggled since his comeback,” said Javed as quoted by Daily Times.

Javed further raised PCB’s policy regarding the future of the national team, questioning the board’s choice to recall Amir even when the Pakistan squad is equipped with around 10 fast bowlers in the 29-member squad. Amir, after announcing his retirement from Tests last year, only plies his trade for Pakistan in the shorter formats.

“I think he is already going for the Twenty20 International matches because he doesn’t play Tests. When you already have around 10 fast-bowlers in 29-member squad present in England, why do you need to call Amir? There is no clear policy regarding the future,” questioned Javed, who donned the Pakistan jersey in 22 Tests, scalping 54 wickets including a five-wicket haul.