Last Update on: November 13th, 2023 at 10:19 am
Mohammad Amir nearly used a slur live on a TV show while criticizing the selection calls made by Pakistan’s team management in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Pakistan once again failed to make it to the semifinals of the marquee event as they crashed out at the semifinals stage. Similar to the 2019 edition, the Men in Green left themselves with too much to do towards the end, ultimately finishing in the fifth spot on the points table. The Babar Azam-led side finished their campaign with 4 wins and 5 defeats.
They began their campaign in the thirteenth edition of the World Cup with impressive wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. However, the 1992 World Cup winners just could not sustain that winning momentum as the two wins were followed by four successive defeats. Although they secured victories in their seventh and eighth games, it did little to alter their faltering fortunes. In the must-win final league game, Pakistan suffered a 93-run defeat at the hands of England.
Mohammad Amir slams Pakistan team management:
Pakistan’s selection decisions in the World Cup have drawn criticism from various quarters, and Mohammad Amir also expressed his frustration with the same. In the process, he came close to losing his composure and was just a moment away from using a slur live on television.
Mohammad Amir was explaining how the team management preferred match-winners over even in-form players during the victorious Champions Trophy campaign in 2017. He revealed that ex-coach Mickey Arthur and ex-captain Sarfaraz Ahmed wanted him to play the final ahead of Rumman Raees who had performed well in the semifinal. Taking a dig at captain Babar Azam who has been accused of favoritism, the pacer said:
“I got injured. I had back spasms, and Rumman played in my place during the semifinal. He performed well in the semifinal. I became fit for the final. Mickey and Saifi bhai said, ‘Amir will play; he is our main bowler. We know he can win this match’.”
“Kya system ne kaha tha ki behen ki…..” he added.
Behn ki what Amir bhai🤨 pic.twitter.com/NLucxppro4
— Salman (@syedsalman97) November 12, 2023
Talking about the World Cup, India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand have qualified for the semifinals. Hosts India will lock horns against New Zealand in Mumbai on November 15 before Australia takes on South Africa in Kolkata on November 16.
