"Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, all these players want to play only in T20Is" : Shoaib Akhtar

[Abdullah719]

"Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, all these players want to play only in T20Is" : Shoaib Akhtar

Mohammad Amir's Test retirement at 27 leaves Shoaib Akhtar thoroughly disappointed

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has lambasted Mohammad Amir over the 27-year-old pacer's decision to quit Test cricket. Akhtar said it was time for Amir to pay back Pakistan cricket for investing in him, especially after comeback from spot-fixing ban.

Shoaib Akhtar's comments come after Mohammad Amir announced his retirement form Tests on Friday. Akhtar said he is thoroughly disappointed with the decision and added that he wouldn't select players who quit red-ball cricket fo focus on ODIs and T20Is had he been the selector.

Shoaib Akhtar also said Amir's retirement from Tests could trigger many such moves from fellow Pakistan pacers, including Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali.

"Mohammad Amir retirement could be followed by Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Juanid Khan's retirement. I don't understand what is happening with the Pakistan team. How could Mohammad Amir retire at the age of 27? Pakistan has invested so much on him and brought him out of the match-fixing scandal to the national side and is trying to give him chances. Now that he was in good form, he has retired," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

The former Pakistan pacer added: "All these players just want to be the T20I bowlers. This is the fact. Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, all these players want to play only in the T20Is. Playing in the ODIs also seems to be a big task for them.

"I am thoroughly disappointed that Amir has retired at the age where players are at the peak of their careers. It was time for Amir to pay back Pakistan. In a time where Pakistan's run in Test matches is so poor, Amir was needed to deliver for his side and help them win some series. I had helped Pakistan win series in England and New Zealand despite knee injuries.

"If I were part of the Pakistan selection board, I would have not allowed these boys to play in any of the formats. There are times when you should make money but this is the time when Pakistan needs you.

"I request the Pakistan board to look into the matter. Amir is just 27 and his retirement shows us the mentality of the players. I think this is the time for Pakistan PM Imran Khan to look into the matter to bring dynamic and energetic people."

Amir played only 36 Tests, taking 119 wickets at an average of 30.47 for Pakistan. The 27-year-old pacer was jailed for his involvement in spot-fixing in 2011 and was subsequently handed a 5-year ban. Amir though came back strongly from the punishment and played a crucial role in Pakistan's Champions Trophy final win over India in 2017.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...age-wasim-akram-ramiz-raja-1574197-2019-07-27

 

[moghul]

I just don't believe what Shoaib Akhtar says,

 

[Amirforpresident]

Amir Yes Hasan maybe, but Wahab Riaz NO. One of the few Guys in
my opinion who gives it all when playing for PAK whether its t20 odi or even test in the UAE.

 

[Shaka81]

It's their careers and health. They can do what they want. There is no obligation to play Test cricket if they don't want!

 

[topspin]

Shoaib Akhtar talking as if he had a long 100 test career

 

[Savak]

Lol am reading online that he is in the running for the chief selectors spot. That is going to be really interesting

 

[Savak]

It's their careers and health. They can do what they want. There is no obligation to play Test cricket if they don't want!

No obligation for the country to give them A grade contracts and to pick them for international duty either. The PCB needs to make examples otherwise letting Amir get away with walking away from test cricket is going to set a dangerous precedent.

 

[Faiz1978]

Shoib Akhtar is a serious idiot , Doesn’t have any cricket sense

 

[irfan]

Shoib Akhtar is a serious idiot , Doesn’t have any cricket sense

true but in this case about Amir he is mostly right though.

 

[sindhiboy]

Every one is say

 

[sindhiboy]

Everyone is saying that tests don't pay.
But I remember media was saying that asad shafiq a test specialist was the highest paid cricketer.

Or Is that an inaccurate rumor?

T20 should be a way out for cricketers who are not picked for their national sides. Not for already established players.

I think Pakistani cricketers who are regular international players are paid enough. Their situation is not like that of South African or Zimbabwean cricketers

 

[Shaka81]

No obligation for the country to give them A grade contracts and to pick them for international duty either. The PCB needs to make examples otherwise letting Amir get away with walking away from test cricket is going to set a dangerous precedent.

He's still an important player in the two formats that pay the PCBs bills so why doesn't he deserve an A grade contract?

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Why drag poor Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan into this. Both have been waiting to get picked for Tests for over 2 years now. Even Hassan Ali has been trying his best to succeed at Test level. Don't know what Shaoib is thinking before saying such stuff or if he even thinks before saying anything.

Not a fan of Wahab, but he is one of the most dedicated players in our team, whether it's Test or t20, he gives his all, which everyone can see.

 

[adil_909]

test cricket is dying, if anything amir is ahead of his time by retiring early and prolonging his LOI career. in the next 5-10 years i'm certain many fast bowlers will retire early from test cricket

 

[The_KING]

While Shoaib is right in his criticism of Amir, he is the last person to criticise someone for not playing enough tests. He says if he could be 27 again, he could play another 50 tests. That's funny considering that he only played 46 tests in his entire career.

Shoaib is a terrible analyst and should keep his opinions to himself.

 

[Mueez]

A bit harsh on Wahab and Junaid Khan who used to toil on graveyards for fast-bowlers in UAE.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

lol Dude fixed a match for god sake. I don't think Amir cares about reviving Pakistan test cricket fortunes. Frankly, International cricket (test cricket in particular) is not financially lucrative for players. Test specialists like Pujara, Rahane, Ishant Sharma are regular targets of mockery and jokes. We find Chris Lynn, Andre Russel, Sunil Naraine, ABDV etc play T20 all around the world but miss out in WC. Modern cricketers don't care about representing their country anymore. I can't really blame them, cricket is their bread and butter.

 

[prorish]

Amir is getting a British passport to settle permanently in the UK as he’s married to a British citizen. Soon he will quit all forms of cricket and play only county, it’s not rocket science.

 

[BaankeJi]

There should be a regulation. None of the players should play T 20 if he is an established tests player. T20 should be last rung of the ladder and should be allowed only if a player isn't a part of the test team squad of future series.

 

[Sadevdesai]

Relatively a much shorter game ..... and good pay !!!