Mohammad Amir Urges salman mirza Pick Over Shaheen Afridi Ahead of India Clash

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has renewed pressure on team management by saying salman mirza — not Shaheen Shah Afridi — should have been the frontline pick for the high-stakes India showdown in Colombo this Sunday (ET). Amir’s comments add to a widening debate about form, selection and how the team is being managed at the World Cup.

Amir: form trumps reputation

Amir was blunt in his assessment, stressing that recent performances must drive selection decisions. "I’ve been saying for a while, Salman Mirza, your in-form bowler, has been performing since the first match. In every series, whenever he got a chance, he delivered, " he said. He contrasted that consistency with what he described as Shaheen Afridi’s lack of impact in this tournament.

While acknowledging Shaheen’s raw ability as a left-arm quick, Amir argued that reputation alone cannot justify a spot in the XI when returns on the field have diminished. "No disrespect, he’s a very good bowler with potential, but at the end of the day, performance matters, " Amir said. He challenged critics to point to sustained, game-changing showings from Shaheen in recent ICC events beyond a standout 2021 T20 World Cup run.

The message is straightforward: selectors and the coaching staff should prioritise players delivering form and match impact, particularly for marquee fixtures where small margins decide the result.

Selection, squad balance and the coach’s responsibility

Amir didn’t stop at bowling choices. He criticised how the management is using squad members and questioned strategic leadership. He singled out all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, saying the player has been reduced to a fielding specialist rather than being given genuine batting and bowling responsibilities. "You made Faheem a fielding all-rounder. You neither give him bowling nor proper batting opportunities, so why is he playing? If he’s not bowling, then you might as well play Fakhar, " Amir said.

That comment fed into a broader critique of decision-making. Amir argued that weak and inconsistent selections early in a campaign can create lasting problems. "When you know your batting is weak, why not strengthen it by giving extra chances to your batsmen? Wrong decisions from the start create huge debates, " he said, and added that accountability should include the head coach, who plans team strategy and leads the group.

Amir’s view frames the current situation as both a selection and leadership issue: consistency and clarity on roles are needed if the team is to perform under pressure.

Fan frustration mounts as Afridi struggles

Outside the dressing room, fan frustration has been visible. A vocal segment of supporters has called for Shaheen to be rested on form grounds, pointing to expensive spells in recent matches. In one recent game Afridi conceded 42 runs in his four overs while taking just one wicket, a stat that critics cite when urging changes to the pace attack.

Pakistan’s mixed results — a nervy win over the Netherlands followed by a stronger showing against the USA — have not quelled debate. With the India meeting looming this Sunday (ET), every selection choice will be magnified. Amir’s public intervention will increase pressure on the management to justify sticking with established names or to embrace in-form alternatives like salman mirza.

As the team prepares for the rivalry clash, the conversation is unlikely to go away: selectors and coaches will have to explain whether they prioritise experience and reputation or form and balance when naming the XI for one of the tournament’s most watched encounters.