Mickey Arthur and selectors on the same page when it comes to Mohammad Amir

[MenInG]

Media reports may have us believe that there is some sort of conflict between Head Coach Mickey Arthur and Selectors over the situation with Mohammad Amir. The Pakistan fast-bowler is not part of the 15-man provisional World Cup squad but is listed as part of an additional 2 players alongside Asif Ali who will accompany the side for the ODI series to England. Yes, Mohammad Amir is struggling for form as outlined below in Saj's tweet:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why Mohammad Amir has not been included in the initial World Cup Squad - his bowling stats in ODIs since the Champions Trophy Final:<br><br>Matches 14<br>Wickets 5<br>Average 92.60<br>Strike-rate 121.20<br>A wicket every 20 overs<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1118865994242502656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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However, the truth, as PakPassion.net have since learnt, is that Mickey Arthur and the Selectors are on the same page when it comes to Mohammad Amir's situation.

The idea is simply to throw a challenge to Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali to improve themselves before the World Cup by performing in the ODI series versus England. If Amir can do what he is asked to do, then a World Cup slot is there for the taking.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reports of a disagreement between selectors & Mickey Arthur over squad for England series & World Cup are untrue. Mickey & selectors on the same page and wanted to throw a challenge to Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali to perform versus England and then make the World Cup squad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC2019</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1119249090657816577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Mohammad Amir is being asked to raise his game which will be a huge test of his resolve and determination. If he can pass this test with flying colours, there is no reason to believe that he wont do well in the World Cup and that is all what Mickey and Selectors want to achieve. This is very similar to what the ECB have asked Archer to do for England and isnt that much of a novel idea.

Can Amir do this? Its now upto Amir to prove his critics wrong and show his determination to help his country to win the World Cup.

 

[Markhor]

This could be a shrewd move by management.

Amir being dropped from the provisional 15 could be what's required to light a fire in him and motivate himself to perform in the England ODIs.

He'll then come into the 15 ahead of whoever's the weakest performing seamer in that series, and in top form for the World Cup.

If Amir doesn't perform, well he isn't in the 15 anyway so it doesn't matter. Same goes for Asif Ali.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Yes, Amir has always been an economical bowler despite of not getting wickets. He may not succeed in taking wickets against England, but will surely move the ball in seaming conditions and that would be enough for selectors to include him in WC squad. Personally I am 100% sure that selectors will manage to include Amir for WC after finishing the ODI series.

But the question is whom they will drop? Junaid or Hasnain? If they drop Hasnain, irrespective of his performance people will eat Selectors and Arthur alive. The only option left is Junaid Khans performance. Amir should be more worried about Junaids performance rather than his own.

 

[Sher Khan]

Very shrewd from the selectors throwing an excellent challenge to amir. Hopefully this wakes him up.

My only concern is how would the other players feel about this. For example, if amir performs and junaid is omitted. It won't be fair on junaid to earn his place and then be omitted because another player has performed now.

This is purely from a player perspective though. As obviously we know an in form Amir is superior to junaid and thus more likely to help Pakistan in their World Cup cause.

 

[Pete Rose]

I would wish for a little of consistency: how does malik squeeze in. to this squad,.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Same page of different books? [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION]

 

[mak36]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] does the same apply for Asif Ali? As in, will he be given a proper opportunity in the ODI series to stake a claim for a spot?

 

[Saj]

The Amir decision is quite clever.

It's a case of show us what you got. There's 5 ODIs versus England, show us how much you want it.

Over to you Amir.....

 

[Mueez]

For the sake of Pakistan cricket, I hope he performs.

He has a factor which other bowlers don’t have.

 

[gazza619]

The Amir decision is quite clever.

It's a case of show us what you got. There's 5 ODIs versus England, show us how much you want it.

Over to you Amir.....

Do you think he will get picked in the 1st eleven? I would have thought that team management would give a chance to the bowlers already in the 15. No?

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Do you think he will get picked in the 1st eleven? I would have thought that team management would give a chance to the bowlers already in the 15. No?

All the 17 players will get fair amount of chance to make the final 15. It is not necessary that he will start, but can get the 2nd or 3rd game depending on other bowlers performance.

Also, we have 4 matches before the ODI series begins, these could also be crucial in selecting the lineup for the first ODI against England.

 

[topspin]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] does the same apply for Asif Ali? As in, will he be given a proper opportunity in the ODI series to stake a claim for a spot?

Yes but he won't emulate Jos Buttler, so don't keep your hopes too high this time.

 

[hitthestump]

What does it say about Amir if he needs to be dropped in order to 'raise his game'. Does it mean he's been bowling 125kph trundlers due to his own arrogance?

 

[Mueez]

What does it say about Amir if he needs to be dropped in order to 'raise his game'. Does it mean he's been bowling 125kph trundlers due to his own arrogance?

I’ve seen him crack it up to 147 kph in T20s.

So, I don’t know why he doesn’t do it regularly?

 

[TeymurBlake]

If Amir takes wickets against England then he will be a part of the world cup. If he doesn't then I think Junaid Khan will retain his spot.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I’ve seen him crack it up to 147 kph in T20s.

So, I don’t know why he doesn’t do it regularly?

He was bowling 140+ consistently in the nz 2018 series which was in Jan 2018 I think.
How can you lose 10kmph in just one year?

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

The Amir decision is quite clever.

It's a case of show us what you got. There's 5 ODIs versus England, show us how much you want it.

Over to you Amir.....

why a match winner like Shinwari has been ignored?
last time i remember he was in mickeys good book's.
why junaid? he is in decline now

 

[Asif321]

Will be interesting if Amir is dropped after first odi

 

[Junaids]

The Amir decision is quite clever.

It's a case of show us what you got. There's 5 ODIs versus England, show us how much you want it.

Over to you Amir.....

And what if he sustains a minor injury with a two week recovery time?

This”challenge” risks excluding the best bowler in English conditions.

 

[Borg]

And what if he sustains a minor injury with a two week recovery time?

This”challenge” risks excluding the best bowler in English conditions.

So you would select him and then rest for that england series ? If he is that susceptible to injury in trying circumstances then guess what world cup wont be walk in the park either ....

 

[Abdullah]

This could be a shrewd move by management.

Amir being dropped from the provisional 15 could be what's required to light a fire in him and motivate himself to perform in the England ODIs.

He'll then come into the 15 ahead of whoever's the weakest performing seamer in that series, and in top form for the World Cup.

If Amir doesn't perform, well he isn't in the 15 anyway so it doesn't matter. Same goes for Asif Ali.

I get it, but how do they give all bowlers a go in this series to ascertain this. There are 6 quicks and only 3 to 4 play at any one time.
So are Hasan Shaheen and shadab/ Imad going to play 2-3 games each to allow hasnain amir Junaid to 2-3 games each.
That's not really a lot of games is it.
Or have they decided amir will get the bulk of the games and hasnain /Junaid will only get 1.
It will be a bit difficult /harsh to drop hasnain/junaid at that point

 

[Abdullah]

For the sake of Pakistan cricket, I hope he performs.

He has a factor which other bowlers don’t have.

Yes this is true
In days where there is no respect shown to bowlers, he has the world's respect.
That is not to be underestimated

 

[Dr_Bassim]

More than anything this is a chance for him to prove his supporters.

They say he is "only pressure player" or "big match player".

No bigger pressure when your career and World Cup place is on the line.

Let see if his supporters are right.

 

[Mueez]

He was bowling 140+ consistently in the nz 2018 series which was in Jan 2018 I think.
How can you lose 10kmph in just one year?

Isn’t it weird?

There must be something going behind the background.

 

[Mueez]

Yes this is true
In days where there is no respect shown to bowlers, he has the world's respect.
That is not to be underestimated

You are not mediocre if you can get Kohli twice on two balls...

He needs confidence and the hunger to succeed imo.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

If making a WC squad doesn't motivate him, nothing will.

If he doesn't perform in the series, then he would rightly have no business playing the WC.

 

[Saj]

And what if he sustains a minor injury with a two week recovery time?

This”challenge” risks excluding the best bowler in English conditions.

That can apply to any bowler though can't it.

Amir cannot have special treatment just so that he doesn't get injured.

 

[NauV]

If he doesn't have it in him to pick up his game to claim a spot in the WC squad, then nothing will ever motivate him . . I think it's a good decision . . and he needs to play all 5 games against England . .

 

[Technics 1210]

It is a stroke of genius.

It appears many of you do not understand leadership, and leadership is all about extracting the best from your team. It's no secret Amir has the talent, and has performed when it mattered. Getting the world's best batsman out, twice, in consecutive balls for example, no easy task.

Amir hasn't performed of late, what to do? Believe in him, get him to play a series vs. England, in England, an opportunity to find his mojo again, and recalled for the world cup. If Amir is recalled, you can bet every penny in your pocket he will give it his all in the WC because this is what a vote of confidence can do, it can be inspiring!

Of course, India must be breathing a sigh of relief - so plan is working like a charm. Amir could actually be the surprise package!

Come on Amir - do us proud!