Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan captain, has expressed concerns over Mohammad Amir’s inability to take wickets in One-Day Internationals. With the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 expected to be announced on April 18, 2019, the comment throws Amir’s participation in doubt.
“When your main strike bowler is not taking wickets regularly obviously it causes concern to the captain,” Sarfraz told a television channel.
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Amir turned in a match-winning spell of 3 for 16 in the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2017, but since then, hasn’t been prolific. He has not taken more than a single wicket in any of the 14 ODIs he has played since then; in nine of those, he has gone wicketless.
‘Minds are clear’
Sarfraz admitted Amir’s bowling strike-rate had deteriorated and his pace had come down. “I can’t say whether [Amir] will be in the World Cup squad or not but our minds are clear about our plans and when the squad is announce everyone will know,” he added.
The 26-year-old Amir was publicly criticised alongside other bowlers by Sarfraz during Pakistan’s Test series in South Africa in January, 2019. The criticism seemed to sting Amir, who walked out of a press conference during the series when asked about his captain’s thoughts about his bowling. Amir was also dropped after just one match in the recent five-match ODI series against Australia in the UAE.
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