LAHORE: Pakistan chief selector Haroon Rasheed on Thursday backed the embattled Mohammad Amir, saying “there is always a difference between normal and extraordinary players”.
Rasheed’s endorsement of Amir is a clear sign the 23-year-old pacer will be included in the Pakistan team for its upcoming series against New Zealand.
“We are not undermining other players and forcing him but there is always a difference between normal and extraordinary players. We are not axing anyone to bring him in. They are all part of the circuit and part and parcel of our planning,” Rasheed said.
The chief selector said Amir’s all-round ability had given him an edge over other players. “It’s not just his bowling but his all-round ability. He is good fielder and can bat with surety. Had he kept on playing in last five years he could have been developed into an established all-rounder. We have good bowlers but they are not known for their batting. I don’t want to point to anyone, but we need our players to cover all the three dimensions of the game.”
