Waqar ‘very excited’ over Amir comeback

E-Paper | July 23, 2026

KARACHI: Pakistan's head coach Waqar Younis expressed excitement Thursday over the imminent return of Mohammad Amir following a five-year ban for spot-fixing.

Amir, 23, is favourite to get the selectors' nod for a tour of New Zealand, where Pakistan will play three Twenty20s and three one-day internationals.

The squad for the Twenty20s is likely to be announced on Friday.

Waqar said Amir had plenty to offer.

“I am very excited over his comeback,” Waqar told AFP.

“Amir is on the right path and has worked really hard in the fitness camp and I believe this kid has plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket,” he added.

Waqar said Amir needed support.

“It may take time for Amir to attain the same zip which he had in 2010, so we should not pressurise him and support him so that he can get back to his best.”

Since his return, he has taken 22 wickets in four non first-class games, while his tally of wickets in the qualifying rounds of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy stood at 34.

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muhammad

Dec 31, 2015 06:59pm

Waqar Younis is a sane man. If there's someone at PCB Amir should look upto for guidance it has to be him.

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Naveed,USA

Dec 31, 2015 07:04pm

You are right ,Amir needs support. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. I am his big fan,I am sure he will on his his peak very soon and contribute towards Pakistan''s success.

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Junaid ali KSA

Dec 31, 2015 07:21pm

Waqar +Mushi both are tented players, I do not u/stand why PCB Najam given u coaching, Waqar in cricket history in W.Indies you/Wasim/Aqib put in police custody 2 days and cricket match stopped, Justice Quyum fine you Rs.3 lacs, you are not justify ur coaching with players and not treating them equal, ur salary is very high US$ 16K P/M+5 star hotel, first class air ticket. we lost under you w/c 2011 & 2015, Bangla wash, England out class sweep, what is this ???????

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Nasir

Dec 31, 2015 07:25pm

Waqar was also implicated in match fixing in the Quyaam report - of course he is excited

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T. M

Dec 31, 2015 07:54pm

Amir needs to be bought back into the fold. However he now needs a mentor, for that no one is a better choice that Waqar...so Waqar please help this kid. Oh another thing Mr. Junaid Ali, I would advise you to be rational and understand how this game of cricket is played....before rushing to pronounce judgement

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M.Saeed

Dec 31, 2015 08:13pm

He should more excited about removing the debilitating elements in the team like Hafeez and Azhar.

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N_Saq

Dec 31, 2015 08:16pm

I just don't understand these people who have issue with Amir's return to Pak team. If you don't like it, just watch another sport. Jeeez!

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Javed k

Dec 31, 2015 08:43pm

Bring back Mohd Asif also...we need him. Imagine a fast bowling lineup that includes Amir, Asif and Wahab.

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M Hamza

Dec 31, 2015 09:10pm

I think some thing wrong with pakistan bacause waqar younis is too much cleaver and waqar younis plann for pakistani team so pakistani team plz tc of your self for waqar younis..

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Desi

Dec 31, 2015 09:20pm

Of coarse he is excited, he know his team cannot win in New Zealand with the current fast bowlers. It is pathetic that the coach who was world renowned fast bowler cannot develop a good fast bowler from the current lot. He does not deserve to be the coach.

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razi

Dec 31, 2015 09:21pm

Welcome back young man! I hope the youngsters will learn from your experience. Now you have to be a role model for them!! Best wishes!!

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Desi2

Dec 31, 2015 09:50pm

This kid is gud !

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Fahad

Dec 31, 2015 10:33pm

This is the wisest move done by waqar since he has assumed the coaching of the team

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Saeed Masood

Dec 31, 2015 11:22pm

If everybody will put such a lots of expectation load on Amir...it will pressurize him to unbearable extent...the whole world knows Amir's abilities...just relax and only support him and let him play his natural cricket...he alone will not be able to do the job of eleven players...but if Hafeez and Azhar fail then it should be a farewell for them...

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RIZ

Dec 31, 2015 11:39pm

Why wouldn't he be Amir is his last hope to save his job.

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Sunilsm

Jan 01, 2016 12:15am

Happy new year 2016 guys. Lots of love to u guys

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pk007

Jan 01, 2016 12:25am

Bowling has never been an issue. We have always produced quality pacers and spinners. What Pakistani team lacks is quality batsmen and the only way to solve this is not by bringing old and tried players but looking for talent in the youth. Maybe PSL is a sign of hope.

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kirther

Jan 01, 2016 01:25am

Great, Pakistani cricket supporters must extend wholehearted support to young Amir, he must have learnt his lesson to keep away from bad company. His inclusion will certainly boost opening attack. Pakistan Cricket Board is primarily responsible for grooming young talent lacking proper education, they have seriously failed in discharging their responsibility, yet again in case of leg-spinner Shah. Non-professional attitude continues to trickles down from the top, this is the main issue and not players.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Jan 01, 2016 01:33am

Kids? Since how long we will be treating him like kid? This kid tarnished the reputation of country and you r excited to see him Again, em surprised. How about salim malick he was a nice batsman of middle order. Pakistan also needs him.

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Desi2

Jan 01, 2016 01:40am

Two words come to mind when I watch this kid bol "Mind Blowing"

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Suresh

Jan 01, 2016 01:42am

@Sunilsm Sunil Happy New Year to you too man - from Karnataka

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Syed Zafar Kazmi U. S. A

Jan 01, 2016 02:12am

@Junaid ali KSA What talking Mr Junaid Ali no understand one word

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ailly

Jan 01, 2016 02:34am

@Junaid ali KSA ........... you have a valid point, but who cares, not even me.

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kash

Jan 01, 2016 02:36am

Will he get nz visa

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Farooq anwar

Jan 01, 2016 02:37am

He need to save his skin but Amir fail to save him and new Zealand series will be disastrous for Pakistan they all bet on Amir

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Amer

Jan 01, 2016 02:43am

coach your not the only one exited about his return we all cricket lovers are exited currently we don't have any geniuine fast bowlers so Amir's addition will bring the memory of old day's back when you and waseem were displaying some class

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jamal

Jan 01, 2016 02:52am

Ofcourse Amir has loads of talent and ofcourse he is going to pick wickets. It is not the question of talent, it is the question moral compass. 1) Representing a country in sports is one of the highest honor. Does he deserve this after deceiving the entire country. 2) What sort of message does that convey about Pakistan - which is already suffering reputation issues - that we endorse culprits and take pride in misdemeanors?

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dawn

Jan 01, 2016 03:14am

So am I!

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SALMAN WAHEED

Jan 01, 2016 03:15am

can't wait to see Amir in action. Such a rare talent. watch out new zealand

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Nasrullah Khan -USA

Jan 01, 2016 03:30am

I wish he can put emphasis on process and rule of law and not so much on personal liking or disliking. Hafeez and Azhar must let go else they will bring trouble again. An obvious point that bowler has to prove his worth in every over and every session whereas the batsmen can score zeros after zeros and still remain in the team. Pakistan wins because of our bowlers not the batsmen

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Nasrullah Khan -USA

Jan 01, 2016 03:30am

@Desi and who made you the judge?

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Jan 01, 2016 04:52am

Haha.. only a month ago, the same guy was against Amir's inclusion in the team. Only after the Chariman PCB took a stand on Amir, everyone got quiet, specially after the Hafeez and Azhar Ali saga. Pakistan team needs Mohsin Khan, a simple and straight forward man, who knew the tactical side of the game much better than anyone else in current coach/manager arena. Saeed Ajmal owed his career to him and had he stayed long enough, I can bet my horses, he would have been able to get our boys out of petty disputes, just like the indians have kept their boys saved from the chucking controversies.

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M. Johri

Jan 01, 2016 07:03am

It's great Amir is back in Pakistani cricket team . We are also very excited in Canada.Happy new year to Amir and Pakistani cricket team. Waqar bhai look after Amir .

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fida USA

Jan 01, 2016 08:51am

Amir needs good supporter and Waqar Younis could be that person.

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Javid Shirazi

Jan 01, 2016 12:23pm

While going thru the comments, observed that an overwhelming majority support Amir's selection. To the nay sayers, 'let the kid play without further distractions'.

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