Amir is knocking on the door of recall: Shahryar Khan

PCB chairman says there are small complications in left-armer's return but a policy will be forged to counter them

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman on Thursday said left-arm fast-bowler Muhammad Amir has convinced everyone with his recent performances that he deserves a chance in the national side.

“We are considering Amir for the national team. But we will call him and guide him to keep a modest and humble behaviour,” Shahryar told media in Lahore outside Gaddafi Stadium.



“We will tell Amir that people will notice his behaviour. His performance has been very good recently. He is knocking on the door for a recall into the national side. There are small complications in his return but we will forge a policy to counter them.

“If the chief selector names him in the team we will ask the Board of Governors to give him a positive nod.”

Pakistan’s performance in colours in the recently concluded series against England in the UAE was also in question, and the PCB chairman said that selectors and coach did their best for team.



“The selection committee and the head coach took the best possible decisions for the team. A few players were unfit so they could not perform as was expected of them,” added Shahryar.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Pakistan-India series which is scheduled in December and will reportedly be played in Sri Lanka, Shahryar said now we just want a quick answer from India and are not bothered about a yes or no.

We should have performed better: Waqar

Pakistan team head coach told the reporters that the team could have performed better but they are prepared to learn from the mistakes.

“I think we could have performed better. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win but we are ready to learn from our mistakes,” said Waqar.

On a question if there were differences between Waqar and T20 captain Shahid Afridi on the selection of Umar Akmal, the head coach said that it was nothing but a rumour.

Pakistan was victorious 2-0 in the three-match Test series against England but they lost the ODI and T20 series and Waqar said it was due to the maturity and experience of the settled Test side.



“Our Test team is very mature. They have a lot of experience. This is the reason that they were victorious against England,” explained Waqar.

“Meanwhile, the ODI team has seen many changed after the 2015 World Cup. The team has a new captain and a lot of youngsters coming in. The team will take time to adjust.

“We have seen glimpses of improvement in the team that it can play modern day cricket. You need to post 300 plus scores in today’s cricket. We haven’t won much but I think with time the team will adapt to the new methods.”

Waqar also cited unfortunate injuries as a hindrance to ODI and T20 teams’ success.

“Injuries did mar out progress in limited overs formats. All-rounder Imad Wasim was out due to which we had to rethink of a new combination and add a sixth bowler in the team.”



Former right-arm pacer seconded Shahryar’s claim about Amir that he should be given a chance since he has proved himself worthy with his performances.

“We have had a detailed discussion with the chairman on this matter. There is no wrong in bringing him back into the team. He has proved it to the PCB and the International Cricket Council that he deserves a second chance,” said Waqar.