Was it the right decision to drop Mohammad Amir from the 15-man World Cup squad?

[MenInG]

He may make it back in the end but fact is that this is a big decision but is it the right one?

 

[Ronaldo7]

He's in the 17 so it's all good

 

[ar2020]

Of course it was the right decision. Why is he so entitled? When Waqar or Shoaib Akhtar weren't in form in the past they didn't play WC matches either.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Looks like Shinwari, Junaid and Aamir were competing for 1 spot. I think Shinwari is unlucky to miss out. Junaid wasn't particularly impressive against Australia and Aamir averages like a 100 after CT.

 

[reversehook]

i think its a much needed kick in the rear for him to ignite a fire...

i hope this was the logic and reasoning behind all this ... to not pick for initial squad, but for eng odi series, and if he lights it up then he will be in and hasnain will be magically hurt/replaced, if not then same scenario with shinwari, or if both fail in eng, then mr Hasnain, welcome to WC bench warming...

 

[Hasan123]

I would take Amir over Hassanin and Junaid. But he only has himself to blame.

 

[Ronaldo7]

i think its a much needed kick in the rear for him to ignite a fire...

i hope this was the logic and reasoning behind all this ... to not pick for initial squad, but for eng odi series, and if he lights it up then he will be in and hasnain will be magically hurt/replaced, if not then same scenario with shinwari, or if both fail in eng, then mr Hasnain, welcome to WC bench warming...

Yeah that's what I think too. This is to show to him that He's not their first choice. Hopefully it works

 

[shahidbhai]

He may make it back in the end but fact is that this is a big decision but is it the right one?

Definitely not! how was Hasnain picked over him!? I dont even think Hasnain passed the fitness test which seems be such a determining factor for Mickey's teams.... what crap! Abid ali also failed the test and makes the cut. Regarding Hasnain though, the guy has raw talent, but thats just it...its RAW, ur setting him up to fail putting him in such a high profile tournament without the fitness, temperament, and experience to play in a pressure tournament at the world stage...

Having said that, I still feel Amir will make the team after his England performance...instead of Hasnain, there might be a few more changes too

 

[Ronaldo7]

Definitely not! how was Hasnain picked over him!? I dont even think Hasnain passed the fitness test which seems be such a determining factor for Mickey's teams.... what crap! Abid ali also failed the test and makes the cut. Regarding Hasnain though, the guy has raw talent, but thats just it...its RAW, ur setting him up to fail putting him in such a high profile tournament without the fitness, temperament, and experience to play in a pressure tournament at the world stage...

Having said that, I still feel Amir will make the team after his England performance...instead of Hasnain, there might be a few more changes too

Junaid was picked over him not hasnain.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Definitely not! how was Hasnain picked over him!? I dont even think Hasnain passed the fitness test which seems be such a determining factor for Mickey's teams.... what **! Abid ali also failed the test and makes the cut. Regarding Hasnain though, the guy has raw talent, but thats just it...its RAW, ur setting him up to fail putting him in such a high profile tournament without the fitness, temperament, and experience to play in a pressure tournament at the world stage...

Having said that, I still feel Amir will make the team after his England performance...instead of Hasnain, there might be a few more changes too

Btw Abid failed it initially but passed it the second time.

 

[ar2020]

i think its a much needed kick in the rear for him to ignite a fire...

i hope this was the logic and reasoning behind all this ... to not pick for initial squad, but for eng odi series, and if he lights it up then he will be in and hasnain will be magically hurt/replaced, if not then same scenario with shinwari, or if both fail in eng, then mr Hasnain, welcome to WC bench warming...

Yeah that's what I think too. This is to show to him that He's not their first choice. Hopefully it works

OMG! Would his damn supports STOP? First it was during the Aussie series when he was dropped. "No he is being rested for WC!"

Now that he isn't selected "oh if he performs in England he will be selected!".

He's not even near being selected.

 

[MMHS]

I think, we had such debates in last tournament as well ..... BUT, that was before ASIA CUP. So, obviously I had a rough handling that time, which Asia Cup paid back in due course of time with compounded interest.

But, this time, Amir has to take lots of blame as well - he didn't himself much either. Personally, I would have definitely taken him to WC, but the squad is announced already, so whoever is picked should be backed.

 

[Ronaldo7]

OMG! Would his damn supports STOP? First it was during the Aussie series when he was dropped. "No he is being rested for WC!"

Now that he isn't selected "oh if he performs in England he will be selected!".

He's not even near being selected.

Lol you're getting too emotional. He will get selected if he performs well against eng.

 

[shahidbhai]

Btw Abid failed it initially but passed it the second time.

I dont believe anything that comes out of that "fitness test", its just a big facade... like Rizwan tops that thing and shan masood comes second but they both get dropped, regardless... changes are still going to be made till May 23rd, this is Pakistan cricket afterall, Im sure Amir was told "hey listen, we will drop you now so we can get all this criticism off our back, but just perform decently in the England series and we will re pick you"

 

[Sherlock]

Yep. You can't be going over past performances and giving him another chance. It's time to move on, but I do have to add that we should've moved on some time ago but because of genius selector chose not to include replacement players from over domestic structure/PSL we're in the position we're in now.

Saying all that, if he performs v England he'll be selected and we'll be going around the table again with the same questions.

 

[Snowflake]

Lol you're getting too emotional. He will get selected if he performs well against eng.

He'll have to replace someone which means that It'll make the management look quite silly switching players in and out last minute

 

[Markhor]

I cannot believe some people are blasting the decision to exclude Amir from the 15.

He averages 92 since his famous CT17 performance. To put that into context, the second worst performing regular bowler is Mark Wood with average of 47.

How much longer does Amir rely on past reputation ? In any event he's in the 17 for the England ODIs so if he, by some miracle, produces an amazing performance in that series then he'll get into the 15.

 

[Ronaldo7]

He'll have to replace someone which means that It'll make the management look quite silly switching players in and out last minute

Not really. For example there's a chance archer will be included in the eng squad as well if he performs against pak. Nothing silly about that

 

[Forum363]

I dont believe anything that comes out of that "fitness test", its just a big facade... like Rizwan tops that thing and shan masood comes second but they both get dropped, regardless... changes are still going to be made till May 23rd, this is Pakistan cricket afterall, Im sure Amir was told "hey listen, we will drop you now so we can get all this criticism off our back, but just perform decently in the England series and we will re pick you"

I dont think you understand how the fitness test works. Its not selecting the fittest players to play for Pakistan. It is having a larger group of players who you think can play for Pakistan at the international level - ensuring they are at the minimum required fitness through the test, and provided they pass (even if it is on a second attempt) you select the best squad from those players. Rizwan and Shan are not part of the best squad it seems.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

I cannot believe some people are blasting the decision to exclude Amir from the 15.

He averages 92 since his famous CT17 performance. To put that into context, the second worst performing regular bowler is Mark Wood with average of 47.

How much longer does Amir rely on past reputation ? In any event he's in the 17 for the England ODIs so if he, by some miracle, produces an amazing performance in that series then he'll get into the 15.

What a brutal stat.

I am sad, because I expected so much more from Amir.

That said, the whole squad has my unconditional support. Let's lift the cup Pakistan!

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

It is a great decision and merited aswell.


Now Amir, Junaid & Hasnain will fight for 2 positions. These 3 will have 5 Odi matches.


Any injury to pacers can also bring Wahab in contention who is in red hot form these days. Wahab should continue his training.

 

[Rana]

I voted Yes but I would like to see a poll for Malik’s selection. Amir has a bigger argument to be selected as compared to Malik. What exactly has he done of note?

 

[shahidbhai]

I dont think you understand how the fitness test works. Its not selecting the fittest players to play for Pakistan. It is having a larger group of players who you think can play for Pakistan at the international level - ensuring they are at the minimum required fitness through the test, and provided they pass (even if it is on a second attempt) you select the best squad from those players. Rizwan and Shan are not part of the best squad it seems.

I dont think you understand how Pakistan cricket works... "fitness test" gives the PCB an excuse to cut or include players on their discretion, whoever they dont want in the team will fail/pass the fitness test. And I always agree the fittest players are not necessarily the best players, like I dont think Imad would pass that thing in a 100 attempts, and he still didnt this time but hes still in my 11. I have no problems with the current "announced team" My main thing is Amir should play the world cup and he WILL. Hasnain/Junaid gets dropped for him depending on who performs worse in the England series. that is all! There will probably be 1 or 2 more changes on England performances, but lets see how this England series unfolds...

 

[Major]

yes because

squad for World Cup can be changed until 23 May without ICC permission

he still has england series to prove himself.

 

[Shafi]

Should try Umar Akmal first 2-3 matches in England series. Asif Ali is garbage

 

[b.lesner]

Should try Umar Akmal first 2-3 matches in England series. Asif Ali is garbage

please no more umar Akmal

talk about new talent Khushdil Shah or any other younhave in mind

 

[The_Odd_One]

Absolutely. Aamir has been the worst Pakistani fast bowler in the last year or so.

 

[Technics 1210]

He is playing in the ODI series vs England, and given his stats in England are best in his career, something tells me he will be selected for the WC squad before the 23rd May (last day to make changes to the WC squad without informing ICC).

 

[Technics 1210]

Oh, and the answer is yes it was right. Decision like this should motivate him into performing vs England.

 

[ar2020]

Lol you're getting too emotional. He will get selected if he performs well against eng.

Ummm no but nice try. The sooner Pakistani fans realize we need to ditch him for good the better we will be. It is similar to Bangladesh saying goodbye to Mohammad Ashraful and look at how they have done since that time.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

Is this end of his career?. I felt Amir for Pak is what Kohli is to India. It is really a very bold decision to drop your star player. Can’t imagine anyone in BCCI dropping Kohli ever. Hasnain is promising but I don’t know for some reason he doesn’t look ready for International cricket.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Unbelievable that Shoaib Malik makes it to the 15, but Amir dosen't.

We needed a experienced bowler like him during a event like World Cup especially since it's being played in England to be in the 15, Hasnain shouldn't have been selected too early or maybe, he should have been in the 2 reserve player pool just like Jofra Archer is for England.

I hope for Pakistan's chances that Amir performs brilliantly in the England series and makes a fairytale comeback to the WC Squad and helps Pakistan win the trophy.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

He's in the 17 so it's all good

Exactly, not in the Official squad of 15, but in unofficial squad of 17.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Is this end of his career?. I felt Amir for Pak is what Kohli is to India. It is really a very bold decision to drop your star player. Can’t imagine anyone in BCCI dropping Kohli ever. Hasnain is promising but I don’t know for some reason he doesn’t look ready for International cricket.

Currently Babar for pak is what kohli is to India. 9/10 would rather have babar in their team than amir if they had to choose in a hypothetical situation.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

It now depends on how he will perform in the 5 odi against England and how other pace bowlers perform in that series. Remember it is non stop cricket for 2 and half months. Can't see all 5 pacers performing through out that series. First Change is going to be Mohd Amir

 

[Zeeraq]

Without Mohammad Amir, Pakistan Lack Edge In Pace Attack, Says Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his "concern" about Pakistan's World Cup 2019 squad which was announced on Thursday. The former Pakistan fast bowler seemed dissatisfied with the pace attack without Mohammad Amir, who has not been named in the 15-man squad. Expressing this on Twitter, he wrote, "My biggest concern is the pace dept. This squad lacks a leader of the pace attack, leader of the herd who is aggressive and goes out to attack. Hopefully Amir can be that."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My biggest concern is the pace dept. This squad lacks a leader of the pace attack, leader of the herd who is aggressive and goes out to attack. Hopefully Amir can be that. <br>In case that doesn't happen, <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHa55an?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealHa55an</a> has to step up and fill that role along with <a href="https://twitter.com/JunaidkhanREAL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JunaidkhanREAL</a></p>— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/1118868092107538437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


As soon the squad was announced Mohammad Amir's exclusion was the biggest talking-point and, like many others, Akhtar believes he could have been a star performer in English conditions given his ability to swing the ball both ways.

"I still think Mohammad Amir could be a lethal weapon to have in English conditions," Shoaib tweeted.

This being only the preliminary squad is some relief for Shoaib, who is still hopeful that Amir, who has been picked for the series against England to be played just before the World Cup, will prove himself and make it to the final World Cup squad before May 23.

The optimistic Shoaib tweeted, "He has a chance to prove that in the England series and be selected for World Cup by May 23rd. Good luck Amir, you can do it."

Other than the pace attack, Shoaib was happy with the rest of the squad. He termed Babar Azam "the backbone of the batting lineup" and expects him to play the "anchor role".

Apart from Babar, Shoaib expects a real show from the likes of Sarfaraz Ahmed, veteran Shoaib Malik, Imam-Ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez in the World Cup.

https://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2...irs-absence-from-pakistan-pace-attack-2025664

 

[Snowflake]

I don't think it was right. Any other series or tournament, and Amir should have been given the boot. Yes, his performance and numbers do not justify his place in the team but at a mega event like WC, you need someone who has been there and done that (taking about a big stage not WC per say). When you are under the pump (example Gul in Mohali), you need a bowler that can hold his nerves and to whom others can look for guidance and confidence.

So, I think it's a risk that was too big to take and might end up costing dearly. Not sure how the England series is going to help as someone else will have to fail while Amir succeeds.

 

[Snowflake]

Exactly, not in the Official squad of 15, but in unofficial squad of 17.

What does that even mean? You can only take 15 to the WC. Someone will have to dropped to accommodate Amir.

 

[aloo paratha]

It's pathetic that this guy still has fans.

 

[Kroll]

Yes, there would have been a lot of thought gone into finding any angle to include him and any slight justification.

But when none could be found, this was a logical decision. What is quite sad is that both Amir and Umar Akmal had the world at their feet ten years ago.

Both now should have been at the peak of their powers going into this WC but for self inflicted reasons, Akmal is missing out entirely and Amir is also likely to miss out.