KARACHI: Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja believes that his country’s cricket board has rushed the inclusion of disgraced fast bowler Mohammad Amir for the upcoming ODI and Twenty20 series against New Zealand.
Reflecting on Amir's inclusion in the national squad,the 53-year-old insisted that the Pakistan team should be provided with some time to accept his return.
“It's a desperate situation because they want to win and Amir is seen as the guy who can get them those wins. He has got loads of talent and ability; that has never been in doubt. But yes, the process has been rushed just to accommodate him and I think Pakistan needed to give more time to the entire squad to soak it in,” Ramiz was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Ramiz, however, called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to come up with a way to make players realize the importance of Amir’s return in the international cricket.
Considered as one of the most promising talents, Amir had taken 51 wickets in 14 Tests and 25 in 15 one-day internationals before he was handed a five-year ban for bowling deliberate no-balls by pre-arrangement during the fourth test against England at Lord's in 2010.
Earlier, the tainted bowler was included in the 26-member national fitness camp in Lahore, whose return in the camp saw divided opinions coming out from the national team.
Amir displayed impressive form in domestic matches as well as in the Bangladesh Premier League ( BPL) after ending his five-year ban for spot-fixing four months ago.
Pakistan will play three-match ODIs and three-match T20s starting from January 15.