LAHORE: Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur has admitted spearheadMohammad Amir’s form has been a worry, but he remains confident theleft-arm has all the attributes to bounce back ahead of the ICC CricketWorld Cup 2019.
The event will run from 30 May to 14 July in England and Wales, withPakistan opening their campaign against the W.indies at Trent Bridge on 31May.
Amir, 26, has been struggling to take wickets, having taken just fivewickets in 14 ODI matches since the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final inJune, said the information made available here.
He went for 59 runs in his nine wicket-less overs in the first ODI againstAustralia on Friday and was subsequently left out of the playing line-upfor the second match two days later.
“Yes, Amir’s form is a worry and nobody is more worried than Amir,” saidArthur on Tuesday. “I still think he is an incredibly skilled bowler andhas all the attributes to be successful. He has got a big match temperamentand we will see how we use him going forward.”
Arthur admitted recalled batsman Umar Akmal was getting better.
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“Discipline-wise, there is a change, definitely,” the coach replied whenasked about Umar’s discipline. The middle-order batsman was withdrawn fromthe squad a week before the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 after failing afitness test.
He has scored 49 and 16 in the two matches against Australia.
“I can’t sit here and fault as the way he has come into the team. The wayhe has prepared, he has been very good. He has done a good job while beingin this environment. He knows the standings are to be in this environmentto be in contention for a berth going forward. I can’t fault his attitude,”he said, adding, “The fitness has got better but has work to do in fitness.The fitness test is on 14 April and to be eligible to go for World Cup, youneed to pass that fitness test.”
