Senior bowler Mohammad Amir can still join the national squad if he withdraws his retirement, according to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi. Amir abruptly announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2020, claiming conflicts with the bowling coach Waqar Younis and the head coach Misbah-ul-Haq at the time.
Amir was harshly criticized by experts and legendary Pakistani fast bowlers for his decision to retire from Test cricket at the age of 27 back in 2019. In addition, the critics had accused him with taking this action to elevate playing in T20 franchise leagues around the world.
Amir, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the way the previous administration of PCB treated him, according to Sethi. A player should be given a chance to redeem himself if he has paid a penalty for his mistake, the PCB Chief added at the same time.
"Mohammad Amir can play international cricket for Pakistan if he takes his retirement back. I always took a strong stance against match-fixing. I believe no convicted player should be spared, but at the same time, a player should be allowed to resume international cricket once he has completed his years of penalty," Sethi said while addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday, January 23.
“Mohammad Amir thinks he is not dealt fairly by the previous regime of PCB, including selection committee and chairman Ramiz Raja. Ramiz Raja thinks whoever has committed corruption in cricket should never be allowed to play for Pakistan again. This is not my view! I believe someone who has paid the penalty should be allowed to make a comeback for Pakistan,” he added.