Amir’s ‘chronic knee problem’ a concern for Pakistan

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Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood admits the team’s management is concerned about the workload of Mohammad Amir after the fast bowler limped off on the third day’s play of the one-off Test against Ireland with a “chronic knee problem”.

Amir bowled 10 overs in Ireland’s first innings in Malahide but left the field after only 3.2 overs after the home side were forced to follow-on after being bowled out for 130.

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With Pakistan still to play two Tests in England, the 26-year-old Amir’s fitness is a concern for the tourists as he is, according to Azhar, the leader of the attack.

Amir has already spoken about how he wants to sit out occasional Tests to manage his workload as the left-arm pacemen has bowled more overs than any other Pakistan fast bowler since he returned to international cricket in 2016 after a five-year ban

Azhar said: “He has got a chronic knee problem which has slightly flared up. Unfortunately he came back after five years and since he came back he played every format for us.

“We have to manage his workload as well so maybe that’s a sign for us to in the future to see where he stands and we’ve got a bunch of young guys coming up and we want to have Test bowlers separately to the one-day and T20s, so we are working on that and hopefully we can come up with something.

“We want him to play Test cricket because he is our No.1 bowler and we want him to run in and bowl for us.

“Workload – I have seen a lot of fast bowlers and their body can’t take it, so they just manage to play one format or two formats, but for him it’s a concern for us but hopefully we will manage his workload in the future.”

After the Test against Ireland, Pakistan take on England at Lord’s from 24 May followed by a Test at Headingley from 1 June.

Azhar Mahmood Mohammad Amir Pakistan Pakistan tour to England and Ireland

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