Sports

Players asked to sign documents stating they have no problem with Amir

PCB steps up preparation to bring back left-armer into side ahead of New Zealand tour

Nabeel Hashmi December 29, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: The Mohammad Amir saga continues as the players are reportedly unhappy with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after being asked to sign legal documents stating they do not object to Amir’s return to the national side.

ODI skipper Azhar Ali and senior player Mohammad Hafeez expressed their reservations against Amir’s comeback but were ‘bullied’ by PCB officials because they wanted Amir to return to the side at all costs.

Azhar and Hafeez were told in a meeting that they had to accept the board’s policy or would have to face repercussions in the future.

Resultantly, Hafeez and Azhar gave in to PCB’s demands and agreed to train alongside Amir.

Amir breaks down after meeting Hafeez in camp

However, the PCB knew that there would be further reactions and question marks on Amir’s selection for the tour of New Zealand and upcoming assignments.

The board has therefore asked all players in the national camp to sign documents stating that they have no problem in playing with Amir if he is selected.

“The PCB is making a mess of the issue by forcing players to sign documents that they will have no problem in playing with Amir,” a player of the national team told The Express Tribune.

“This is disrespectful to the players who have played their cricket with dignity and with honour. If there is a question mark then it’s on Amir’s part, not ours. Then why is the PCB is trying to bully us?”

Players asked to state in writing they have no problem with Amir

The player added that Amir is being given special treatment. “This whole episode is turning into a shameful debacle as the board is doing its best to prevent the players from saying anything against Amir,” he added.

“Why so much love for one player? The board should provide a similar opportunity to Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif too, while they should fight Danish Kaneria’s case as well if this is their policy across the board.”

The player added that this may lead to further problems while may also result in demotivating and alienating the current players.

Spot-Fixing: ‘Amir shouldn’t be included in squad’

“The message that is being sent through this is that if any player is guaranteed a place then it is Amir, while the fates of others are uncertain,” he said.

“It’s a pity that those sitting at the helm are ignoring what this may lead to, and are instead focusing on short-term goals.”

COMMENTS (13)

Hassan Shah | 8 years ago | Reply @as: No this is not the Case, the World never found even a closer match of Waseem, Waqar, Javed, Imran, Inzi etc. They are with unique gifted talents. Plus But & Asif are also from Punjab. (I m not BTW).

as | 8 years ago | Reply a bad precedence is being set! You commit a crime and if youre a punjabi then youre forgiven! He is a criminal who brought bad name to this country. Im certain you can find 1000s of wasim akrams or waqar younises every day playing cricket on our streets

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Asad | 8 years ago | Reply @JB - Well said. Fully support your views! Azhar and Professor are taking un-necessary 'panga' for cheap media publicity.

Rocky | 8 years ago | Reply Amir was a juvenile and has completed his sentence in prison. Get over all the controversy, we need a bowler like him for the 2019 world cup (where despite high claims we were unable to find a bowler, equally talented as he is, in the last 5 years). Enough retribution, enough team politics!!

Kashif Riaz | 8 years ago | Reply "Looking for short term goals" As mentioned above i don't really agree with this because Aamir's inclusion to the side is a good listen for young guys that they must kept in mind that if they do anything wrong they can also be sentenced for punishment as done in Aamir case.... and for Salman,Asif and Kaneria the case is certainly different they committed a crime but didn't really accepted it and despite this they shamefully addressed their fans with false stories and tried their level best to conceal the reality and Aamir not only accepted his Sin but also tried to amend it as well..! And people like Azhar and Hafeez are highlighting this issue only to catch the attention!

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Drama queens.

JB | 8 years ago | Reply I am sorry but nothing states that Amir was 'guaranteed' a place in the team. He went through rehab. Went through his punishment and has been performing exceptionally well in the domestic league as well as BPL; unlike a lot of the current players in the squad. Furthermore, Salman Butt and Muhammed Asif do NOT deserve the same treatment. They only accepted the crime after all other avenues were exhausted. And it was not Asif's first mistake. I believe the current players are blowing everything out of proportion. What are they afraid of? Is Amir a mole for the anti corruption unit and might expose them? Have they never made mistakes in their lives?

Asad | 8 years ago | Reply Make Amir the Captain of the team and all problems will be solved! He is currently a venomous player and likely to set new records.

Pakhtun | 8 years ago | Reply Do Pakistan team needs, Asif, Butt or Kaneria? Are they as good as Aamir? They are not and thats why board is not going after them. Hafiz needs to learn that not all players are recruited on "Sifarish" like him. Some are selected solely on their performance like Aamir

Junaid | 8 years ago | Reply For once, PCB is doing something right! Strong arm these bunch of mediocres into playing on PCB's terms or go home. Aamir is specially gifted supremely talent fast bowler and a national asset hence special treatment for him. Show me one, just one single player in our current lot of these non performimg whiners who could match Aamir's talent. He did the crime as well as the time, now its a new beginning for him.

Raisani | 8 years ago | Reply why this street Ruffian is being promoted so much by PCB? is country finished with good players?

Bilal | 8 years ago | Reply Dear Anonymous player, If you were 1/10th as talented as Amir is, you would have realised why the board is making sure none of you untrustworthy lot create further problems for his return. The board wouldnt have done this if your friends Hafeez and Azhar had not reacted in the immature manner that they did. Hope that gets the message across.

Saad | 8 years ago | Reply Our people as a culture like to exaggerate and create issues out of non-issues. It should not have been an issue to begin with had Hafeez and Azhar not acted like retards. Also, about the same treatment for Butt and Asif, they didnt commit they had done anything wrong till the very end. Owing up to a mistake is a big thing in my book. Having said that, the only people part of the playing 11 should be the top performers from across the board, we have had enough of sifarshi's, parchi's over the years because of which a common fan like me is losing interest.

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