Saeed Ajmal feels selectors erred by ignoring Mohammad Amir from the World Cup squad
Though Amir hasn't been amongst the wickets, Ajmal thinks his experience matters more.
Pakistan cricket found itself deeply divided over the exclusion of veteran pacer Mohammad Amir from ICC World Cup 2019 squad. While the left-arm bowler’s poor form has been cited as the main reason for his ouster, there are also voices that feel that the 27-year-old is too good a bowler to miss out. Amir, however, has been included in Pakistan squads for the limited-over series against England starting May 5.
Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal believes that the selectors committed an error by not picking Amir for the upcoming World Cup and said Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side needed his experience in the showpiece event. Amir had bowled magnificently in the final of the Champions Trophy played in England in 2017 against India but ever since that game, his form has gone downhill.
To speak about Amir’s performance since that game in which he took three wickets, the bowler has played 14 matches but could claim only five scalps. In nine consecutive games, Amir went wicketless, averaging above 92. But his experience of playing international cricket for a decade would have counted for Pakistan, Ajmal felt.
Amir’s experience would have counted in WC, says Ajmal
“You need experienced players in a World Cup. Mohammad Amir should have been in the team. Pakistan should have announced the same 15-member squad for the England series that would have played the World Cup. Now they have two extra players (for the England ODI series). It’s a bit of a mix and match,” Ajmal told Sport360 on Friday.
“My thinking is that Amir is an experienced player. He won us the Champions Trophy final. He should have played.”
The 41-year-old Ajmal, who played in the 2011 WC and picked up the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar in the semi-final, said Amir’s ability to swing the ball could be a great advantage for Pakistan in the English conditions.
Pakistan captain Sarfaraz and coach Mickey Arthur, however, said recently that the doors for the World Cup are yet not shut for Amir, hinting at a last-minute twist given Amir regains his form in the series against England.
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