KARACHI: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir is set to rendezvous with the Pakistani team in Ireland today for the forthcoming three-match T20 international series. Nevertheless, he won’t be in contention for the series opener against the hosts.
Amir commenced his journey to Dublin on the 3:30 am flight earlier today. While the likelihood of his selection for the first T20I seems slim, he remains poised to contribute to the team’s efforts in the subsequent matches scheduled for Sunday and Tuesday.
The delay in Amir’s departure was attributed to a belated issuance of his visa. Thanks to the proactive efforts of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Amir’s visa was eventually secured.
The PCB remained actively engaged with Cricket Ireland to resolve Amir’s visa quandary. Following the Kakul camp, visa applications for all players, including Amir, were promptly processed. However, apprehension loomed over the PCB headquarters when Amir’s visa was not forthcoming.
Amir’s career has seen its share of tumult, notably with the five-year ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2010 due to his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal, alongside Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt. His path to redemption included serving half of a six-month custodial sentence in young offenders institutes in Feltham and Dorset.
Upon his return to international cricket in 2016, the 31-year-old left an indelible mark by aiding Pakistan in clinching the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, where they triumphed over arch-rivals India in the final by a staggering 180 runs. Amir’s standout performance in the final, where he dismantled India’s top order, is etched in cricketing folklore.
Despite announcing his international retirement at the age of 28 in December 2020, citing mental anguish under the management, Amir rescinded his decision ahead of the recent series against New Zealand and was reinstated in the national squad.
Following the T20I series in Ireland, Pakistan will journey to Leeds, England, to partake in a four-match T20I series slated for May 22, 25, 28, and 30. Subsequently, they will set their sights on the T20 World Cup in the United States.
