Former cricket star, Umar Gul, recently offered his insights regarding Mohammad Amir’s early retirement from international cricket and the potential implications should he decide to return.
In 2020, Amir accused the Pakistan team management of being behind his decision to retire prematurely at the age of 28. He criticised head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, and bowling coach, Waqar Younis, for tarnishing his image.
In a candid interview with Cricket Pakistan, Gul expressed his astonishment at Amir’s decision. He underscored the need for self-accountability and introspection when dealing with performance shortfalls.
“I was taken aback when Amir chose to retire from international cricket. It’s a given that players will face obstacles when their performance isn’t up to par. It’s not always productive to single out a specific coach or circumstance as the sole cause of one’s exclusion. It’s more beneficial to accept personal responsibility,” Gul suggested.
“By recognizing our own role in failures, we open doors for improvement. Driven by the desire to excel alongside high-performing teammates and coaches, we work harder. Embracing these challenges ultimately contributes to better performance,” he further elaborated.
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Gul, the former fast bowler, also pointed out the high level of competition in the squad. He noted that even if Amir were to reverse his retirement, there are numerous talented fast bowlers currently in line for selection.
“Looking at players like Hassan Ali or Mohammad Hasnain, who are themselves struggling to cement their places, it raises a question: if Amir were to end his retirement, who would make way for him?” he queried.
“There are already four to five frontline fast bowlers in the team. If we stick to the rotation policy, like in the New Zealand series where different bowlers played alternate matches, it becomes apparent that there isn’t a lack of performance. Yes, Ihsanullah’s elbow injury did hamper his chances, but his recent PSL performance underscores his abilities. Therefore, Pakistan has an abundant pool of fast bowlers to choose from,” Gul concluded.
