Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir lashes out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their selection policies for the national team. He criticized them for not giving the young players proper opportunities in domestic cricket and throw them at the international level with flaws in their game.

Amir announced a shocking retirement from international cricket and alleged PCB for not being supportive. He believes PCB should learn how countries like India, England and New Zealand hon the skills of their young players before announcing them in the international arena.

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“Look at the players that India, England and New Zealand are bringing into international cricket. They are ready to play at the highest level as they have done the hard yards and have completed their learning in the domestic and junior systems. Once selected, they show their skills in international cricket which they have already learnt in domestic cricket,” he said.

“Whereas in Pakistan, at the moment, our players are expected to learn from the national coaches while playing international cricket, rather than having already learnt the art of cricket earlier in their careers.”

Mohammad Amir praised how the Indian cricketing structure developed the skills of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya, who made a successful international debut recently during the England series. All these players gained experience in domestic cricket as well as the Indian Premier League before coming onto the big stage.

“Look at Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya, they looked ready and primed for international cricket when they made their debuts and did not look to need much advice or coaching at all. They have played several years of domestic cricket and the IPL and that makes their introduction into international cricket much smoother,” Mohammad Amir added.

“International cricket isn’t school cricket where you learn on the job. It’s a tough environment where only players who are ready and who have learnt about the game and obtained the necessary skills should be selected. If you want to learn about cricket, do it at the academy or in First-class cricket, don’t come to international cricket underprepared and hope to learn whilst playing for your country.”

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Mohammad Amir said before concluding “Too often our young players are thrown into international cricket with technical flaws, with issues in their game, in the hope that they will improve. Well, it doesn’t work like that at all and the sooner we realise it, the better it will be.”