Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir finds himself in a state of anticipation as he awaits his visa for the upcoming Ireland series and subsequent matches against England. Despite being part of Pakistan’s 18-member squad, Amir remains grounded in Lahore, while his teammates have already embarked on their journey to Dublin for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Ireland, commencing on Friday.
Having reversed his international retirement in March, Amir’s return to the national side was aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s prospects ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled in the United States and the Caribbean next month. However, his participation in crucial warm-up matches hangs in the balance due to visa processing delays.
A spokesperson for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed ongoing communication with Cricket Ireland officials regarding Amir’s visa status. Despite assurances from Cricket Ireland that Amir’s visa is “still in process,” concerns loom over potential disruption to his match practice, especially considering the significance of the Ireland and England fixtures in shaping Pakistan’s preparations for the T20 extravaganza.
Amir’s recent international outings have been limited to the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, marking his return to international cricket after a four-year hiatus. With Pakistan eyeing valuable game time ahead of the T20 World Cup, the PCB remains hopeful for a swift resolution to Amir’s visa woes.
In the event of prolonged delays, contingency plans are in place to directly fly Amir to Leeds, where Pakistan is scheduled to play their first T20 against England. Amir’s temporary residence in the United Kingdom adds a layer of complexity to the situation, given his previous involvement in Ireland’s inaugural Test match in 2018.
While Cricket Ireland maintains communication with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs regarding visa matters, the PCB expresses perplexity at the situation, emphasizing the responsibility of host cricket boards to facilitate smooth visa processing for visiting players.
Amidst uncertainties surrounding Amir’s travel, the spotlight remains on the ongoing efforts to secure his visa and ensure his timely participation in the upcoming series, critical for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup preparations.
Efforts to obtain a response from Cricket Ireland regarding the visa issue were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.