Will talk to Mohammad Amir and will discuss what his issues are: Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has shown some optimism for left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir’s return to international cricket. In an interview with Cricket Pakistan Azam has said that he will 'talk to him about his issues' that are hindering his comeback to the international arena.

Amir had retired from international cricket in December 2020 citing 'mental torture' and had accused the coaching staff of negative behaviour against him. 

"When we talk, we'll discuss what his issues [with the national side] are," Azam said. "He's one of the best left-arm bowlers and I really admire him. The way he's performed in the PSL so far, I just hope he performs the same way again, and that's what we are focused on so far."

Over the last month, several Pakistan players including star all rounder Shoaib Malik had accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of nepotism. In an interview with Pakistani journalist Saj Sadiq he had confided that he was putting his career on the line by speaking out about the issue but he had no regrets doing it.

The left-arm fast bowler was one of the three players apart from Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif to be slapped with a ban after he was found guilty in a spot-fixing scandal during the Lord's Test in 2010. While Butt was banned for ten years, Asif for seven years, Amir was handed over a ban of five years. 

Amir was capped 36 times in Tests while playing 61 ODIs and 50 T20Is for Pakistan before announcing his retirement. He scalped a total of 119 wickets in the longer format while had 81 scalps in Odis and 59 in T20Is respectively.