[EXCLUSIVE] "Selectors stopped replying to me": Usama Mir

[Cricket Warrior]

In our latest PakPassion Exclusive, Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir breaks his silence on a series of setbacks that have derailed his international career. From shock exclusion despite PSL success to the double standards in PCB’s NOC policy, Usama opens up about selection snubs, fitness drama, and the emotional toll of being sidelined. Now with a 3-year Worcestershire deal, the Multan Sultans star lays bare his future ambitions — and doesn’t rule out representing another country.

Key Points:

Double Standards in PCB’s NOC Policy: Usama claims he was denied a third NOC while others were granted the same.

Blocked Career Progression: Feels deliberately excluded, saying, “I don’t look like I’m in their plan.”

Ignored Despite Fitness: Says he wasn’t even tested before the World Cup despite his preparation.

Selection Confusion: Questions inclusion of Abrar Ahmed in the World Cup squad, who didn’t feature in the USA leg.

Worcestershire Deal: Finds hope with a 3-year county contract after being overlooked by the PCB.

Open to Switching Allegiances: Says he would consider playing for another country if an opportunity arises.


Watch the latest interview with Saj below:

 

[BouncerGuy]

Usama Mir might leave Pakistan as well... Sad to see such behaviour from PCB. But it is a usual thing happening in Pakistani cricket, ruining the careers of many...

 

[Nasty Naz]

Seems like another player who simply got tired of dealing with PCB and their nonsense and decided to leave. I don't blame him and it's clear the administrative work of PCB behind the scenes is complete chaos without any logical sense. He likely fell out of favour, which in turn led to a NOC issue for which PCB has screwed multiple players and being firmly on the outside of selection plans.

It's weird how he is essentially a T20 specialist and yet only played 5 T20I's for Pakistan but somehow played 12 ODI when his numbers in List A are not even good. I don't know... things never seem to make sense in Pakistan and he got exposed playing in a wrong format. Don't think he's much more than a middling spinner in T20's but certainly would have made more sense to give him chances there considering how much their spinners were struggling last few years.

Good luck to him. I never liked him much to be honest but that doesn't justify the way PCB treats and discards its players like they're inhuman.

 

[Rafale Nidhal Fan]

Usama Mir might leave Pakistan as well... Sad to see such behaviour from PCB. But it is a usual thing happening in Pakistani cricket, ruining the careers of many...

tbf his performances and blunders doesn't help

 

[BouncerGuy]

He mentioned that his contract is like Zafar Gohar's. If that is the case, then Usama might no longer be available to play for Pakistan in the near future.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I don't think his performances in international were great but he is the type of player who can be useful in some squads and series for international. When he is on form he looks the business.

 

[Abid Z]

He’s way too erratic to be a contender in the longer formats. Perhaps he could stick to t20’s but maybe the selectors have had a good look at him and feel like he’s reached the end of the road. A county team might get the best out of him.

Actually there’s a few like him. Gohar, qadir and usama. They may feel hard done by but in reality the few performances we see they are no longer consistently banging down the door of selection.

Yet there are Abrar and sufiyan that just remain quiet and get on with whatever opportunities come their way. I know who I would favour.

 

[Major]

He was a good spinner with the right coach. He did well with the female coaching staff of Multan, but than when he went to the world cup in India, he was just bowling garbage.

Good to know he is going to UK.

Zafar Gohar i think could play for england in future

 

[Saj]

Good old PCB - pure comedy.

The PCB needs a huge overhaul and professional people brought in who are capable of running a cricket Board.

At the moment it's a shambles, so many people who have no clue what they are doing and are earning money despite being incompetent.

 

[Snowflake]

Sorry, but after the performance in that WC in India, this guy did not deserve any more chances.

I have not seen a worse performance than his in that WC - Pak desperately needed a spinner in those conditions and this guy couldn’t even land a single ball in the right spot.

Massive reason why we didn’t fare well in that tournament

 

[The_KING]

This guy always looked like weak whenever he played for Pakistan. He has been bad pretty much every time he has played for Pakistan.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir, 29, has signed for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and made his debut in their win over Trinbago Knight Riders on Wednesday night.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Usama Mir has been dealt unfairly by PCB, hopefully he can improve his game greatly in the future to prove his critics wrong.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Usama hitting some lusty blows last night, but his team lost in the end, though... Also picked up 1 wicket.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960866442221384166

 

[BouncerGuy]

Usama was unstoppable last night in CPL... 3 wickets for him and played a vital role in his team's win.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1965931625520443490

 

[Ball Blazer]

On the second day of the seventh round of Qeat, Usama Mir (Sialkot) struck crucial blows, claiming 5 wickets for 28 runs to keep Multan under pressure.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

They are the selectors, not your girlfriend. What obligation do they have to reply to you?

 

[RidiculousMan]

They are the selectors, not your girlfriend. What obligation do they have to reply to you?

While they have no obligation as such. We all know that management and selectors don't have proper communication with players during commission or addition of players in the squad.

 

[hassan918]

They are the selectors, not your girlfriend. What obligation do they have to reply to you?

The selectors should have proper communication with the players about their participation in the team and the player must know the reason why he has been dropped.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

While they have no obligation as such. We all know that management and selectors don't have proper communication with players during commission or addition of players in the squad.

The selectors should have proper communication with the players about their participation in the team and the player must know the reason why he has been dropped.

Not necessarily. I don't think the selectors owe every tom, dick and harry deserves an explanation. You should be able to put 2 and 2 together and deduce that they aren't happy with your performance. I don't remember Usama Mir lighting the world on fire when he was last in the team. Was he even on a central contract?

 

[hassan918]

Not necessarily. I don't think the selectors owe every tom, dick and harry deserves an explanation. You should be able to put 2 and 2 together and deduce that they aren't happy with your performance. I don't remember Usama Mir lighting the world on fire when he was last in the team. Was he even on a central contract?

Fair enough but players are not always dropped because of their performances. We have seen incidents where they dropped a player because of fitness for a series and the player then comes out on media stating that he didn't have any fitness issues.

A clear communication is a must between everyone when he is player, selector or part of the management or coaching staff.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Not necessarily. I don't think the selectors owe every tom, dick and harry deserves an explanation. You should be able to put 2 and 2 together and deduce that they aren't happy with your performance. I don't remember Usama Mir lighting the world on fire when he was last in the team. Was he even on a central contract?

Communication is paramount.

 

[sweep_shot]

To be fair, Usama flopped in 2023 WC. I can see why selectors moved on from him. Pakistan now have Abrar and Sufiyan (much better spinners).