Mohammad Amir questions PCB’s “Experiments,” urges board to restore Babar and Fakhar in ODI setup

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has strongly criticized the selection policies of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), questioning the constant experimentation with the national side and calling for major changes in the selection committee.

Amir expressed concern over the exclusion of key players such as Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman from Pakistan’s ODI setup despite being fully fit. According to the former left-arm pacer, both players are integral to Pakistan’s one-day lineup and should not be sidelined without a clear reason.

“I don’t understand the purpose of these continuous experiments in every series,” Amir said. “If Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are fit, then why are they not part of the ODI team?”

Amir emphasized that Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman form the core of Pakistan’s ODI batting unit. He warned that constant changes in the squad are preventing players from settling into defined roles, ultimately hurting the team’s stability and performance.

The former pacer further claimed that such frequent experimentation is rarely seen in other international teams. “This kind of thing does not happen anywhere in the world like it has been happening in Pakistan over the past two years,” Amir added.

Amir also raised concerns about possible off-field differences affecting team selection. He suggested that even if there are disagreements with Babar Azam, Pakistan cricket should not suffer as a result.

“If there are any differences with Babar Azam, why should Pakistan cricket suffer?” he questioned. “Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are among the best players in ODI cricket, but now efforts are being made to waste their talent.”

In a bold suggestion, Amir called on the PCB chairman to dissolve the current selection committee and transfer the responsibility of team selection to former captains Younis Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

According to Amir, only individuals who have led Pakistan to major international trophies should have the authority to select the national team. He highlighted that Younis Khan captained Pakistan to victory in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, while Sarfaraz Ahmed led the side to triumph in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

Amir concluded by saying that if Younis Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed were given full control over team selection, they could help build strong and competitive Pakistan teams across all three formats of the game.