Inzamam slams Cook for his 'campaign' against Amir
Pakistan chief selector Inzaman-ul-Haq has criticized England skipper Alastair Cook over his statement against Mohammad Amir, after Cook warned the pacer of 'consequences' at the Lord's during the first Test. Inzamam felt this is a campaign to pressurize Amir, who is considered as a threat.
"How would the England captain feel if they were in Pakistan and our captain made a similar statement about some player?
"I see this as the start of a campaign to start pressuring Amir. Because not only England but even Australia and South Africa see him as a threat. And he can be a match-winner in England," Inzamam said, reported PTI.
The England captain had earlier warned Amir, who will be making his Test return on the same ground where the spot-fixing scandal took place in 2010, about crowd reaction. He said, “I’m sure there will be a reaction and that is right,” said Cook. “That is part and parcel, that when you do something like that there are more consequences than just the punishment. That is something for him to cope with, whatever comes his way.”
Inzamum has also advised captain Misbah-ul-Haq to make sure that Amir is protected on the field.
"I think it would be a good idea if Amir was not made to field at the boundaries because he will then face hostile comments and remarks. It is best to keep him away from the crowd at the start," he said.
"But to me there is sympathy for Amir in England and the best way he can answer is to perform in the series and I am confident he can do it," he added, reported PTI.