The return of Mohammad Amir’s chronic knee injury has the Pakistan team management concerned.

The left-arm pacer had to leave the field twice during the third day’s play in the ongoing Test against Ireland at Dublin due to fitness issues.

Speaking to the media after the end of the day’s play, Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmoud stated that the side will need to be extremely careful in managing the workload of the pace spearhead.

“Unfortunately, he came back after five years (out) and since he came back he has 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. We are working on that, and hopefully we can come up with something,” he said.

“We want him to play Test cricket because he’s our number one bowler and we want him to run in and bowl for us so if workload — I have seen a lot of bowlers and their bodies can’t take it, so they just manage to play one format or two formats. But for him, it’s a concern for us and hopefully we will manage his workload in the future,” Mahmoud added.

Amir had to leave the field for the second time while in the middle of his fourth over in Ireland’s second innings but Mahmoud still expects the pacer to be able to bowl on Monday.

The 26-year-old had been excellent with the ball before going off the field. He picked up two Irish wickets in the first innings while conceding only nine runs in his 10 overs before having two catches dropped off his bowling in the second.

“He has got a chronic knee problem which has slightly flared up. Hopefully, he will be ok tomorrow to bowl for us. He’s having treatment and hopefully tonight we will do a bit more treatment, tomorrow morning, ice as well, so he will be fine,” the bowling coach explained.

With the first Test against England at Lord’s just a week away, Pakistan will be hoping Amir can overcome his injury troubles quickly.