Pak's fielding, not Amir should be blamed for his lack of wickets: Shoaib Malik

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has heaped praise on Mohammad Amir, saying the efforts and the economy of the pacer has been top notch ever since his return to the national team after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing.

Amir has been criticised by many for not been able to pick wickets the way he used to before his ban, and Malik, the former Pakistan skipper, feels the criticism is unjustified.

"I think it's unfair to criticise Amir's bowling," the Express Tribune quoted Malik as saying.

"In team sports, your performance is also a reflection of the team, and vice-versa. Had our fielding these past 18 months been the way we have been fielding recently, Amir's impact would've be even more significant.

"His efforts since his comeback and his economy is top-notch; I believe we will see the best of Amir in the coming years," he added.

Amir, along with fast bowler Mohammad Asif and former skipper Salman Butt, were found guilty of various offences of corrupt behaviour relating to the Lord's Test between England and Pakistan in August 2010 by the independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal in February 2011.

Amir, however, made an impressive return to international cricket last year by taking 12 wickets in four Tests during Pakistan's tour of England.

Recently, the left-armer claimed his first five-wicket haul for Pakistan since returning from his spot-fixing ban in the first Test against West Indies at Sabina Park.