People are dreaming as if Amir can still replicate his heroics from the 2016/2017 era.
The reality is that he was dropped for a reason and since being dropped he has NEVER been able to force his way back into the side.
He has formally retired, doesn't bother to play domestic cricket anymore and by all accounts is very happy being a t20 mercenary with no allegiance to anyone.
He clearly doesn't miss wearing the green and isn't prepared to sacrifice any of his own needs for Pakistan.
And yet there are those who are begging for his return in 2023. Where is your self respect?
Who is saying anyone wants Amir to replicate the 2016-7 form? We are saying we are short of bowlers, yes the front line bowlers are brilliant, and all being fully fit, Amir doesn’t have a place in the side. But if you look outside the front line, there is a serious lack of quality. I’m not saying even if comes back, he takes a leading role in the side.
However, after last year’s T20 World Cup. The following things happened:
1. Shaheen injured (again) in the T20 final
2. Clear that Wasim Jr and Dahani are not finished products and very far from getting there.
2. Rauf injured (again) after 1st innings of first Test vs England
3. Naseem injured (again) during England test.
4. Hasnain injured
By this time, anyone with a brain in the PCB or team management or captain unfantastic himself should have come to the following conclusion: Our frontline 3 pacers are very good, but are injury prone and they need backup. The current backup bowlers are clearly not good enough.
Now next, PSL happened.
1. Amir looked decent with better pace and movement in PSL.
2. Amir Jamal impressed in the PSL with good pace (and had already announced himself a few months prior vs England in a brilliant last over
3. Ihsanullah was a revelation.
All 3 decent options for Pakistan (even if it was for T20s).
From this list: Ihsanullah was drafted in vs Afghanistan (good), Amir Jamal (completely forgotten about) and Amir ignored.
Surely there should have been a plan of action to speak to Amir, negotiate a little, feed his ego or whatever. Start integrating him back in to the fold even if it was for T20s at the time. This could have been built upon for ODIs too. Also to start give Jamal some international exposure.
And this became even more important once they realised Ihsanullah and Hasnain are injured.
But our geniuses had a better plan. Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Junior and Hassan Ali.
Seriously, give me a break!