Amir trying to blackmail with statements on Pakistan cricket: Kaneria

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria believes that ex-pacer Mohammad Amir is trying to blackmail people with his statements, inorder to make a comeback in the national side.

The 40-year-old was not impressed with the way Amir has carried himself, over the recent past, despite being welcomed back in the national team after the spot-fixing scandal.

“I am taking nothing away from Mohammad Amir. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I feel he is trying to blackmail others with his statements so that he can make a return to the side. From his comments on moving to England and getting citizenship and playing the IPL, you can understand his headspace,” Kaneria said while speaking on his official YouTube channel.

“Mohammad Amir should realize that Pakistan were really kind to bring him back after his spot-fixing scandal. But his performance over the last one and half years has been absolutely zero. Agreed he bowled really well in the ICC Champions Trophy, but since then he has been on a steep decline,” he added.

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He also reiterated the steps taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ensure Amir’s return to the national side, despite reservations by some players and commentators.

“When you [Amir] were excluded from the team after a decline, you then proceeded to claim that I will not play with this management. Despite them being the ones who backed Mohammad Amir. When I talk about people like Misbahul Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, the board pressured them to support Mohammad Amir and bring him back to the team. Even some commentators did not want to support Amir, but they had to because the commentary was their bread and butter,” he concluded.