LAHORE: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said that the returning pacer needed backing of the whole nation.
“We should all back Muhammad Amir,” said Waqar while talking to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “He was a kid who did something wrong and completed his punishment. Now he deserves a second chance.”
Waqar also pointed towards the support that Amir has received from international players. “Even the likes of McCullum support his comeback,” he said. “Now it’s time we should all back him as a team, as a coach, as a nation.”
“We all need to give Amir some time,” said Waqar. “Don’t put too much pressure on him.”
Waqar, who represented Pakistan in 87 Tests and 262 ODIs, said that he did not agree with the stance of ODI captain Azhar Ali and veteran Mohammad Hafeez. “It was their point of view, and I have a different point of view” said Waqar. “We live in a democratic world, where people can have different opinions.”
The 44-year-old said that the main focus of the ongoing training camp was on fitness and power hitting. “We know that in the recent past, our performances in the shorter formats are the cause of concern,” said Waqar. “That is why we are putting our focus on fielding and power hitting during the training camp.”
