In the wake of Pakistan’s unexpected loss to Afghanistan during the recent ICC World Cup 2023 match at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium, tensions have been brewing within the cricketing community.
Amir’s discreet insinuation spotlights Pakistan team selection issues
The team, led by Babar Azam, is grappling with a crisis of form and currently finds itself in a precarious position, occupying the fifth spot on the points table.
Their path to the semi-finals is fraught with challenges as they must secure victories against formidable opponents, including South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the reigning champions, England.
Amidst the ongoing uncertainty, one of the most debated topics in cricketing circles pertains to the omission of the experienced pacer, Mohammad Amir, from the World Cup squad.
The controversy escalated further when young pace sensation Naseem Shah was forced to withdraw from the squad due to an injury.
In a recent conversation with a local news channel, Amir indirectly hinted that personal biases might have played a role in his exclusion from the team.
Although he did not explicitly level accusations, his remark that his absence was due to his lack of “connections” in influential circles sends a clear message. This inference aligns with the longstanding criticisms surrounding the Pakistan cricket team and allegations of favoritism in player selections.
“I’m not on the team because I don’t have influential connections,” Amir stated, alluding to the perceived favoritism within the Pakistan squad.
'Main team mein nahin hoon kyunke meri dosti nahin hay' – Mohammad Amir had a light moment last night 😂😂 #CWC23 #PAKvsSA #AUSvsNED pic.twitter.com/8DKSBqQGNU
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 26, 2023
With their World Cup aspirations hanging in the balance, Pakistan faces a do-or-die situation in their upcoming match against South Africa this Friday. Another misstep could potentially spell the end of their campaign, placing even greater scrutiny on the decisions made by the team management and selectors.