Mohammad Amir praises India, blames Pakistan and other Asian countries on serious issue

Ex-Pakistan star Mohammad Amir has stressed the importance of franchise tournaments to improve the skills of youngsters across the globe.

Amir is still very active in the franchise world despite retiring from international cricket. He is part of the UAE-based franchise tournament ILT20, where he will represent the Desert Vipers.

Amir believes a young player's development can only be done when he or she is given an extended opportunity. The former Pakistan player also believes any player needs time to get in the groove and the plan must be a sustainable one so that a player can flourish.

"I have a belief that whenever you bring a young player into the system, you clearly tell them what their role is. Along with telling them their role, you tell them what your role is as well. For us, mostly, apart from India, if you look at Sri Lanka or Pakistan, our plans change series by series. And that should not happen," Amir said.

"And until you give a player a free run or allow him to express himself, he won't be able to groom himself. Because you don't get results in one day, it's a process. And a process happens over a few series, so when you bring a player in, you should have the mindset to play him for a period of five years for him to develop," he added.

The pace bowler also heaped praises on the Indian system and lamented the other Asian countries for their shortsightedness.

"In Asia, apart from India, after every series the plans change, and that shouldn't happen. And as a senior player, whenever youngsters ask me questions about what they can do different, I say that your mindset has to be relaxed. And as senior players we should make sure that the youngsters have a relaxed mind because when your mind is relaxed you can express yourself better," he concluded.

Youth development is a crucial component for the evolution of any system. India have been consistent in their programme and have been bearing fruits for that.

(with inputs from agency)