Former Pakistan Captain wants Amir not to be selected in squad

Mohammad Amir is playing in BPL but PCB hasn’t allowed Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif to play domestic cricket

Former Pakistani cricketer Inzamam-ul-Haq believes that Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif should be kept away from the national team. These three players were banned from cricket for five years because of a spot-fixing scandal.

The 45-year old former Pakistani captain said, “I don't think it would be a good idea to allow either Amir or the two other players involved in the spot fixing scandal back into the Pakistan team. I just feel that if Amir is selected again for the national team it will divert the focus of the other players away from cricket and there will be added pressure on them and Amir.”

Inzy also pointed out that if the team goes on a tour with Amir, media will focus more on the 23-year-old bowler and this will create troubles in the dressing room. He said in an interview, “I know from experience that if Amir is selected in the Pakistan team and when it goes to England, Australia or even India the media will just focus on him and it will mean problems in the dressing room.”

The former cricketer also believes that apart from International Cricket Council’s (ICC) stance on such players, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to formulate a policy of their own. He said, “The PCB needs to be clear in its stance on players who have been involved in corruption and tarnishing the image of the country. Because playing for the national team is the highest honor for any athlete.”

Inzamam made it clear that he has nothing personal against any player, it is the team he is worried about. “I can imagine the questions that would be asked if Pakistan lost a close match or if he couldn't perform at the right time. I can imagine the taunts from the crowd and all these things will only divert the attention of the team away from cricket,” added the 45-year-old.

Inzy is not the first one to speak against return of these three players to then national team. Previously, former Pakistani cricketers Javed Miandad and Rashid Latif had also expressed similar views. Even some members of current Pakistan team are against their return. According to Muhammad Hafiz, he did not accept an offer from a BPL franchise as they had already signed Aamir. However, some other former cricketers feel that these three players deserve a second chance as they already have served their punishment.

Amir, whose ban expired in September, is a part of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. He has already made a big impact in its first stage, triggering the debate till when he will be ignored by selectors. PCB still hasn’t allowed Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif to participate in domestic cricket.