'People never called Haider Ali a money grabber' - Mohammad Amir on criticism over playing in T20 leagues

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir has been continuously taking potshots at the current team management and his critics ever since he has retired from international cricket. He accused Misbah-ul-Haq and others in the staff of being harassed while calling it quits and has also expressed to make a comeback if the management is changed. Amir was also called out for playing for money after he decided to hang his boots from Test cricket.

However, the left-arm pacer reckons that he is unnecessarily targetted and has now pointed out that other Pakistan players are never criticised for featuring in T20 leagues. He also cited current Pakistan batting sensation Haider Ali’s example who recently signed to play in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) asking if anyone called him out for playing for money.

“Some have such a mindset where they feel that a certain person can never do anything right. No matter what that player does, they will twist it and turn it into a negative. I am only playing in the leagues that are available to other Pakistani cricketers and it’s not as if there are any special leagues being organised just for my benefit. Are other players being called out for putting money first?

“For example, Haider Ali recently signed to play in the Caribbean Premier League, are people calling him a money-grabber? If players are getting an opportunity to play in a league, then they should go for it,” Mohammad Amir was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

Amir reveals he started playing in T20 leagues after being dropped from team

The 29-year-old also further added that he only started playing in the T20 leagues after being dropped from the team. Amir stressed that he always wanted to improve in whatever opportunity he gets to play cricket. While earlier people accepted this approach, he feels that the problem began when he retired from Test cricket as many thought he was playing only for money.

“When I was dropped from the Pakistan side, I was going to grab every opportunity so that I could improve and prove to others that I can still perform and people accepted that. But, then when I retired from Test cricket and I was playing in leagues around the world, suddenly people started saying it was all about money,” Amir added.