“What's happening on social media is a vicious attack on our players, especially the younger ones, as if they’ve committed a sin": Mohammad Amir

[Cricket Warrior]

Mohammad Amir stands with the Pakistan team even after the failure against India, he said:

"I felt compelled to make this video because of the intense and, frankly, bizarre reaction on social media following the recent Pakistan vs. India cricket match. It feels like some people believe the world has ended.

It’s just a game and in cricket winning and losing are both part of it. What's happening on social media is a vicious attack on our players, especially the younger ones, as if they’ve committed some unforgivable sin. I see people on TV and online acting as if these players aren’t even our own, as if they’ve come from another planet.

This isn’t the right way to behave. I understand that many people have YouTube channels and TV shows to run, and they have the right to express their opinions. However, that opinion should be based on fair criticism and respect, not on personal agendas or wild, baseless attacks. I see people holding up flags and demanding specific players be removed, as if one bad match is the end of their career.

Let's remember, these are the same players who are being compared to legends who have had long careers and have also experienced failures, including losses to teams like Afghanistan and Ireland. You’re holding these young players to an impossible standard after a single match. It’s not fair to them.

While it’s fine to suggest improvements, like bringing in a player like Haris Rauf into the playing XI, the conversation should be about solutions, not about tearing players down. We should offer suggestions on how to improve the team's performance, not just wave flags and spew negativity. These are our players, and they are the future of Pakistan cricket.

The tournament is still ongoing and maybe we will play again against India so instead of demoralizing them, we should be supporting them, guiding them, and pointing out their mistakes constructively. The people who are so quick to praise a player when they perform will be the same ones who vilify them after a poor performance. This is the nature of cricket, and it’s important to remember that a player who fails today might be the match-winner tomorrow.

So plz do not run your personal agendas give them fair constructive opinions, what of India and Pakistan again plays in this tournament again and Pakistan win this time so how would u praise them after such criticism?

I’ve been involved in cricket for a long time, and it teaches you that there are both good times and bad. Right now, our team needs our patience and support. whatever you want to suggest do it after the tournament ends it is your right to have an opinion on who should be in the team and who should be out, but that opinion must be shared with respect but not with personal agendas.

I see videos and comments online that make no sense, fueled by personal grudges. We have to be better than that. Everyone, including these young players, deserves a chance. Give them time—a year or two. If they don’t perform, they will be replaced. But right now, they need our support.

Good luck to the Pakistan team. The tournament isn't over yet, and I hope they will perform well and win."

 

[BouncerGuy]

LOL...

Where was this calm tone when senior players were under fire last year? You had no problem dissecting their performances then. Now, suddenly, criticism is “vicious” and “bizarre” because it targets younger players?

Fans have every right to demand accountability. If Pakistan wins the next match, great—but that doesn’t erase poor performances or silence fair critique.

 

[mominsaigol]

LOL...

Where was this calm tone when senior players were under fire last year? You had no problem dissecting their performances then. Now, suddenly, criticism is “vicious” and “bizarre” because it targets younger players?

Fans have every right to demand accountability. If Pakistan wins the next match, great—but that doesn’t erase poor performances or silence fair critique.

Lol, cute. @Rana Already explained this.

Amir didnt stand with babar and rizwan. Why wouldn't he stand with team Pakistan now that Pakistan is actually Pakistan and RizBabarstan?

 

[sweep_shot]

People in subcontinent take cricket way too seriously. It is just a game just like rugby, volleyball etc.

Social media abuse over a sport is pretty absurd.

If the abusers think they can do better, why don't they go out and play themselves?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Lol, cute. @Rana Already explained this.

Amir didnt stand with babar and rizwan. Why wouldn't he stand with team Pakistan now that Pakistan is actually Pakistan and RizBabarstan?

LOL... that is what I said... This team has stats even worse than last era... Why hypocrisy now

 

[mominsaigol]

LOL... that is what I said... This team has stats even worse than last era... Why hypocrisy now

I stand with Pakistan and Australia. End of. I don't stand with RizBabarstan.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

People in subcontinent take cricket way too seriously. It is just a game just like rugby, volleyball etc.

Social media abuse over a sport is pretty absurd.

If the abusers think they can do better, why don't they go out and play themselves?

You look at australia they won a world cup 2023 hardly any white australian cared had india or pakistan won we would have all social media memes coming out.

 

[sweep_shot]

You look at australia they won a world cup 2023 hardly any white australian cared had india or pakistan won we would have all social media memes coming out.

Exactly.

Australia won World Cups 7 times. They hardly celebrate.

I guess this is why they win a lot. They don't waste their energy in silly celebrations.

 

[TheSultan]

I stand with Amir - beautifully said

 

[JaDed]

You look at australia they won a world cup 2023 hardly any white australian cared had india or pakistan won we would have all social media memes coming out.

Australians make memes on AFL as they care about that sport.

 

[Sachin fan]

I stand with Pakistan and Australia. End of. I don't stand with RizBabarstan.

He is talking about Amir dude, not you. You haven't reached that status yet

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Australians make memes on AFL as they care about that sport.

Ya true that for them cricket is just about playing a game and if they win great if not they play again

 

[Abid Z]

LOL...

Where was this calm tone when senior players were under fire last year? You had no problem dissecting their performances then. Now, suddenly, criticism is “vicious” and “bizarre” because it targets younger players?

Fans have every right to demand accountability. If Pakistan wins the next match, great—but that doesn’t erase poor performances or silence fair critique.

You’re doing exactly what he said should not be done. Needlessly tearing into critics or the team doesn’t serve a purpose. Personal attacks are not valid but team strategy and weaknesses v strengths should be highlighted. Pakistan management are making elementary errors.

 

[Mamoon]

The owner of the worst Super Over in history, that too vs USA, has finally spoken.

It is not about winning or losing. It is about the fact that Pakistan showed zero intent with the bat.

This is what the new era and new template apologists don’t realize or perhaps, don’t want to realize.

Had Pakistan scored 170+ and lost, or came out swinging and got all out for 127 in 13 overs, they wouldn’t be getting bashed.

However, Pakistan batted a full 20 overs and scored 127 only.

The reason they scored 127 was because Shaheen was swinging for the fences which he alway does and has nothing to do with the mythical mindset that Agha and Hesson have implemented.

It is very clear that all this talk of a new batting style and new template is nothing but a load of hogwash. It is easy to talk about it in press conferences but it is a different challenge to actually go out there and do it vs top opposition.

The whole narrative around dropping Babar and Rizwan was that they play outdated T20 cricket, so what brand of cricket are we playing right now?

After making big claims about intent and aggression, who bats for 20 overs in 2025 and scores 127 only on the shoulders of a decent tailender swinging his bat? The pitch excuse died a quick death too because India knocked down the total in no time.

After making big claims about intent and aggressive mindset? Who scores 160 vs Oman in a T20 game in 2025?

What was the point of dropping Babar if his replacement is going to score 29 in 29 and 40 in 44?

It is abundantly clear the this whole new template and style of cricket is a myth because our batting has not improved an inch. We have simply replaced Babar and Rizwan with inferior players.

This straw-clutching excuse that please give them time etc. doesn’t work because it has nothing to do with time. It has nothing to do with improvement or results. It has to do with intent.

Showing intent takes no time. It shouldn’t have taken this so-called new modern team any time to score more than 160 and 127 vs Oman and India respectively after batting a full quota of overs.

It doesn’t take a genius or even an average intelligence to figure this out. The apologists of the “new era” hogwash are aware of this. They know they have no leg to stand on anymore and it’s a lost cause but their ego and hatred are preventing them from accepting the the truth.

They are trying to defend the current team and make excuses when they scored 127 in 20 overs on a good batting surface after beating their drum for months. Absolutely no shame.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

LOL...

Where was this calm tone when senior players were under fire last year? You had no problem dissecting their performances then. Now, suddenly, criticism is “vicious” and “bizarre” because it targets younger players?

Fans have every right to demand accountability. If Pakistan wins the next match, great—but that doesn’t erase poor performances or silence fair critique.

When the country is being attacked then it is important to unite against the common enemy.

These players have very high expectations placed on them because of the geopolitical aspects of the current situation with India. Fans are being ultra critical because of this. But thats something outside of the players control. So why slaughter them for it.

 

[Rafale Nidhal Fan]

He said it right....we take cricket way too seriously. It's just a game. Pakistan already are ahead in numbers against India and recently I found out indians complained to condom companies that the average condom is too big for them, another small W for Pakistan I guess

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

You look at australia they won a world cup 2023 hardly any white australian cared had india or pakistan won we would have all social media memes coming out.

If pak wins / loses a soccer match, you won't see any reaction. If aus wins a soccer world cup you would. Depends on what is the most popular sport of that nation

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Maybe replace soccer with rugby for Australia

 

[giri26]

I think Pakistan fans, players, Board and former players have all lost their mind. There is so much commotion on things which are not related to cricket that it is embarrassing. Pakistan have come to play cricket in Asia Cup and not to cry and complain about why India did not shake hands. The standard of cricket on the field was horrible and obviously the fans were disappointed. This is not new though as fans from India and Pakistan have always been harsh in losses. Why are they complaining so much now? M Aamir and A Shehzad wanted all older players to be dropped and young players to be picked. They are in a fix now as they have to support these young players. If Babar & Rizwan had been part of this loss, I am sure Aamir himself would have trolled Pakistan team for this loss. So this is rich coming from him.

 

[BouncerGuy]

What is happening is that people are reacting to these boys' talk show and no game on the field. Why is Amir sulking? Move on boy.

 

[hks222]

We need Rizwan and Babar back in team.

No way Farhan or Haris are better

 

[followed]

If they surrender like that they should be criticized.

Zimbabar and Rizwan legside used to do that and they were called out as well and now these losers are doing it why should they be spared.
Players should learn from this experience and try to improve their game.

They are so comfortable with mediocrity and don't work hard.

They having glaring weakness against spin bowling and these losers can't even read spinners from their hand.

They deserve nothing but chittar for their pathetic performance.

 

[Hitman]

It’s just a game and in cricket winning and losing are both part of it. What's happening on social media is a vicious attack on our players, especially the younger ones, as if they’ve committed some unforgivable sin. I see people on TV and online acting as if these players aren’t even our own, as if they’ve come from another planet.

True! They haven't sold their team and their country to the bookies yet.

 

[Sachin fan]

True! They haven't sold their team and their country to the bookies yet.

If they did sell their countries they would be related as hero, particularly if they defended 340 score in a big final.

 

[mominsaigol]

If they did sell their countries they would be related as hero, particularly if they defended 340 score in a big final.

You guys need to let the Amir incident go. Politics and cricket itself should not be mixed and sadly it seems that every poster is mixing them together both Pakistani and Indian posters included.

I juat saw a post where people were calling Sachin crap cause of his 2 match ban, calling Ponting a horrible human being and as a result a crappie player(rizwanthet20troll said this) and now Amir.

2 seprate incidents. Kindly don't let bias get in your way. Also before you divert and claim i am biased as well especially towards Jaiswal who I view as the best young talent in the world but was hating on him due to spite at the time.

Yes I have been biased but from now on I won't be as I already promised @jeeteshssaxena I won't from now on, my word is my bond.

But you guys should follow suit as well. Same goes for Akhtar. You can call him a test failure due to his crappie numbers sure but no need to take personal digs such as Mujh sei bowling nahi ho rahi or other stuff.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

We need Rizwan and Babar back in team.

No way Farhan or Haris are better

I have a feeling, Saim n Haris will smash ind/ sl in super 4s

That will settle/ calm all fans

 

[hks222]

I have a feeling, Saim n Haris will smash ind/ sl in super 4s

That will settle/ calm all fans

Are we even playing?

 

[GudduBadmash]

I have a feeling, Saim n Haris will smash ind/ sl in super 4s

That will settle/ calm all fans

then AamchiMumbaikar wakes up

Saim and Haris do not have the facilities to score pressure runs against good teams

 

[Major]

The irony of this thread is that its from Amir

 

[Mamoon]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1968718333525594342

 

[Mamoon]

He is still kissing Kohli’s feet, but Kohli will never reply to him.

 

[Sachin fan]

You guys need to let the Amir incident go. Politics and cricket itself should not be mixed and sadly it seems that every poster is mixing them together both Pakistani and Indian posters included.

I juat saw a post where people were calling Sachin crap cause of his 2 match ban, calling Ponting a horrible human being and as a result a crappie player(rizwanthet20troll said this) and now Amir.

2 seprate incidents. Kindly don't let bias get in your way. Also before you divert and claim i am biased as well especially towards Jaiswal who I view as the best young talent in the world but was hating on him due to spite at the time.

Yes I have been biased but from now on I won't be as I already promised @jeeteshssaxena I won't from now on, my word is my bond.

But you guys should follow suit as well. Same goes for Akhtar. You can call him a test failure due to his crappie numbers sure but no need to take personal digs such as Mujh sei bowling nahi ho rahi or other stuff.

Nah, players who cheat so their country can win are nowhere same as those who sell their own country to outsiders for money.

I am baffled you are comparing the two.

 

[Mamoon]

Question: how much TC will it take for Amir to realize that Kohli isn’t interesting in engaging with him on social media?

 

[mominsaigol]

Nah, players who cheat so their country can win are nowhere same as those who sell their own country to outsiders for money.

I am baffled you are comparing the two.

Not comparing. Asking you to seprate politics from cricket.

 

[Mamoon]

Nah, players who cheat so their country can win are nowhere same as those who sell their own country to outsiders for money.

I am baffled you are comparing the two.

Match-fixers are the lowest of the low when it comes to cricket. Amir is a disgrace and a black stain on Pakistan cricket.

It’s also a question of losing credibility. We don’t know if this is the only instance where Amir sold himself, or if there are other situations where he has deliberately underperformed for Pakistan.

Who knows - he might have taken some $ for bowling the worst super over in history vs USA. I mean, who bowls 3 wides in a super over?

 

[TheSultan]

When Amir, the winner of ICC trophies speaks, trolls must listen. Sit back down you drama queens

 

[Mamoon]

This Amir bloke is even more shameless than we thought. Imagine sucking up to Kohli publicly at a time when the tension and hatred between the two countries is at an all time high.

Someone tell him that no amount of boot polishing will get him an IPL deal.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

This Amir bloke is even more shameless than we thought. Imagine sucking up to Kohli publicly at a time when the tension and hatred between the two countries is at an all time high.

Someone tell him that no amount of boot polishing will get him an IPL deal.

Don’t think it was Amir that was hoping for an India win last Sunday.

Imagine supporting your arch rivals because the players you support have been kicked out for good.

 

[Mamoon]

Don’t think it was Amir that was hoping for an India win last Sunday.

I am not a public figure and I don’t have a broad audience.

Imagine supporting your arch rivals because the players you support have been kicked out for good.

Imagine being deluded enough to think that they have been “kicked out for good” when Farhan is batting at a SR of 87, Haris can’t buy a run and Saim is collecting ducks.

But but but new template and modern cricket. Comedy gold

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I am not a public figure and I don’t have a broad audience.

You’re meant to be supporting your team through thick and thin, regardless of whether you’re a public figure or not.

There’s been times where many of us weren’t happy with the inclusion of Babar and Rizwan in the T20 side, that doesn’t mean we’d cheer for India just to be proven right.

You, on the other hand call out ex-cricketers who still back their team whilst you’re doing bhangra losing to India…but it’s Amir who is shameless lol.

 

[tiger_khan]

I am not a public figure and I don’t have a broad audience.

Imagine being deluded enough to think that they have been “kicked out for good” when Farhan is batting at a SR of 87, Haris can’t buy a run and Saim is collecting ducks.

But but but new template and modern cricket. Comedy gold

just curious...what's your solution to the problems you have highlighted?

 

[tiger_khan]

You’re meant to be supporting your team through thick and thin, regardless of whether you’re a public figure or not.

There’s been times where many of us weren’t happy with the inclusion of Babar and Rizwan in the T20 side, that doesn’t mean we’d cheer for India just to be proven right.

You, on the other hand call out ex-cricketers who still back their team whilst you’re doing bhangra losing to India…but it’s Amir who is shameless lol.

granted that fans should support their teams but the teams need to display professionalism and consistency too.

having said that some fans are directing their discontent and anger towards the players.

in all honesty, it's not the players who are at fault. it's the ever changing pakistani domestic cricket structure and political appointments of the management - the real culprits.

 

[Mamoon]

just curious...what's your solution to the problems you have highlighted?

What problem? Sorry, I didn’t understand your question.

 

[tiger_khan]

What problem? Sorry, I didn’t understand your question.

I meant the players with the slow strike-rates and people getting out for ducks regularly, etc.
The problems you have identified, what's your proposed solution?

I presume that like me you have seen the yester years of Pak cricket when we used to be exceptional. I can both appreciate and relate to your frustration. You have a good sense of cricket. Trolling aside, I want to know your insights on the solutions to present Pak cricket problems.

I hope you are not using Indian cricket as a benchmark to criticize Pak cricket. The reason being, cricket has become a corporate beast now. Even Australian pitches have been slowed down over the years (for the Indian touring sides) so the Indian viewers can generate more money for the ICC. The pace of the pitches when Pakistan and other teams tour Australia is different than when Indians are the visitors. Same with the grass on English pitches.

Also, during the big tournaments travelling is made easy for the Indian team as compared to other countries. There have been instances when most of their games in a tournament have been on the same ground while the other countries are travelling from east to west ends of the host country. Even when the games are not on the same ground, their next game is usually in a city closer to the one they just had a game in.

Perhaps the most embarrassing example of abuse of power was at display when in one of the Asia Cups the India-Pak game was given an extra day due to rain. Other teams were not given the same advantage when their games were rained out.

Going back to travel - Travelling in professional cricket contributes to the morale and physical fitness of the players. It adds to uncertainty which most of the professional players hate.

The openers bear most of the burden of this uncertainty. For example, all this political drama that took place in the last game with a delayed start...it is very plausible that the Pak team didn't even get the chance to properly warm up. The openers have to face the first ball. If they get out on the first ball then the person coming one-down has a justified excuse for taking his time.

In summary, Indian team is very good but there are many corporate factors which help them to produce results. They have every right to utilize their economic power in modern day cricket. But they shouldn't be used as a benchmark.

Needless to say, Pak cricket needs a lot of improvement. I was just asking for your insights. In your opinion, what's the remedy? You have followed world cricket long enough. You are insightful and have a very good understanding of cricket.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Amir is a match fixer and a known toxic individual. He shouldn't be getting any forum to air his views on cricketers

 

[BouncerGuy]

You guys should see amir talking right after Pakistan vs India game and then he took a 180 degree turn in his narrative after few hours... Agenda based it was.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

It's pretty clear these statements from former cricketers these days are merely for one lobby or the other instead of Pakistan Cricket. No need to put too much focus on this. None of these clown ex cricketers want Pak team to win. They'll just trash the lobby they hate and defend the other and vice versa. Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket is the real casualty.

 

[Hitman]

He is still kissing Kohli’s feet, but Kohli will never reply to him.

I think Kohli has already complimented him as a bowler in the past.

 

[Sachin fan]

You’re meant to be supporting your team through thick and thin, regardless of whether you’re a public figure or not.

There’s been times where many of us weren’t happy with the inclusion of Babar and Rizwan in the T20 side, that doesn’t mean we’d cheer for India just to be proven right.

You, on the other hand call out ex-cricketers who still back their team whilst you’re doing bhangra losing to India…but it’s Amir who is shameless lol.

When you support a fixer who sold his country out, then all of your other opinions and support goes out of the window.

You talk about supporting team through thick and thin and then support someone who sold out the same team for a few dollars. Weird.

And Amir doesn't still support the team, he has attacked the team many times when Babar and Rizwan were there. He is highly opportunistic.

 

[Hitman]

When Amir, the winner of ICC trophies speaks, trolls must listen. Sit back down you drama queens

Can't blame you since you grew up idolising those substandard match fixers from your team in the 90's.

 

[rpant_gabba]

You guys should see amir talking right after Pakistan vs India game and then he took a 360 degree turn in his narrative after few hours... Agenda based it was.

bro 360 turn will take you back to the same point. think you meant 180.

OTOH this explains so much

 

[BouncerGuy]

bro 360 turn will take you back to the same point. think you meant 180.

OTOH this explains so much

Might as well call it 90 degrees, but it won't matter.

what matters is the narrative shift suddenly to spit his agenda

 

[BouncerGuy]

You guys should see amir talking right after Pakistan vs India game and then he took a 180 degree turn in his narrative after few hours... Agenda based it was.

@rpant_gabba fixed... Okay?

 

[Mamoon]

I think Kohli has already complimented him as a bowler in the past.

Kohli commented on his bowling when he was asked in an interview, and he will do the same if he is asked today, but Kohli has never acknowledged his boot polishing on social media.

The only time Kohli ever engaged with a Pakistani player on social media was when Babar tweeted in 2021.

Anyway, such social media engagement is not necessary and pointless. It’s absolutely pathetic and embarrassing to see Amir still doing such stuff.

 

[TheSultan]

What Amir has done is excellent. On Social media, there are Indians are trolling Kohli that he was too friendly with Pakistani players in the wake of SKY’s “oh so tough” non handshake.

Amir is just fuelling the fire.

And if you watch through his career, Amir has very rarely acted like a fanboy to Kohli (like Babar and Rizwan) have done. Yes Amir has been respectful - a respectful handshake here and there. The roti group used to queue up to greet Kohli and give him a hug.

 

[rpant_gabba]

@rpant_gabba fixed... Okay?

all good bro. just shooting the breeze

 

[Mamoon]

I meant the players with the slow strike-rates and people getting out for ducks regularly, etc.
The problems you have identified, what's your proposed solution?

I presume that like me you have seen the yester years of Pak cricket when we used to be exceptional. I can both appreciate and relate to your frustration. You have a good sense of cricket. Trolling aside, I want to know your insights on the solutions to present Pak cricket problems.

I hope you are not using Indian cricket as a benchmark to criticize Pak cricket. The reason being, cricket has become a corporate beast now. Even Australian pitches have been slowed down over the years (for the Indian touring sides) so the Indian viewers can generate more money for the ICC. The pace of the pitches when Pakistan and other teams tour Australia is different than when Indians are the visitors. Same with the grass on English pitches.

Also, during the big tournaments travelling is made easy for the Indian team as compared to other countries. There have been instances when most of their games in a tournament have been on the same ground while the other countries are travelling from east to west ends of the host country. Even when the games are not on the same ground, their next game is usually in a city closer to the one they just had a game in.

Perhaps the most embarrassing example of abuse of power was at display when in one of the Asia Cups the India-Pak game was given an extra day due to rain. Other teams were not given the same advantage when their games were rained out.

Going back to travel - Travelling in professional cricket contributes to the morale and physical fitness of the players. It adds to uncertainty which most of the professional players hate.

The openers bear most of the burden of this uncertainty. For example, all this political drama that took place in the last game with a delayed start...it is very plausible that the Pak team didn't even get the chance to properly warm up. The openers have to face the first ball. If they get out on the first ball then the person coming one-down has a justified excuse for taking his time.

In summary, Indian team is very good but there are many corporate factors which help them to produce results. They have every right to utilize their economic power in modern day cricket. But they shouldn't be used as a benchmark.

Needless to say, Pak cricket needs a lot of improvement. I was just asking for your insights. In your opinion, what's the remedy? You have followed world cricket long enough. You are insightful and have a very good understanding of cricket.

Thank you for your kind words.

This might sound depressing, but I honestly don’t think Pakistan cricket will ever recover. The game has moved beyond Pakistan.

Not every sporting team in the world is successful or can be successful. That doesn’t stop people from supporting them. The time has come for the fans to accept where the team is and not look for individual scapegoats when they are not the problem.

For example, for months, the narrative peddled by ignorant fans on this forum and also on social media was that Babar and Rizwan were the problem in white ball cricket and if you remove them, the team will get better.

However, as if we have seen in the Asia Cup, that myth that has been dispelled as well because their replacements are clearly inferior.

When your cricket team is weak, the least you can do is pick your best available team to give yourself a marginal chance of being competitive and we are clearly not doing that.

Only PCB is capable of leaving its two best batsmen at home and make their already weak team even weaker.

The only thing that can save Pakistan cricket hypothetically is an economic boom, resulting in PCB established state of the art centers in all major cities, hiring world class coaching staff at grass-roots, investing in school and club cricket, increasing the salaries of everyone employed in domestic cricket.

If all of that happens, there is no doubt you will see impressive outcomes in a few years down the line, but we both no one of that is going to happen.

 

[Sachin fan]

Can't blame you since you grew up idolising those substandard match fixers from your team in the 90's.

Amir and his fans stealing credit for the 2017 CT win is the funniest thing I keep seeing.

Hasan Ali was the man of the series.

Junaid bowled his heart out entire series while Amir was a passenger till the final.

Sarfraz captained well throughout


Fakhar helped the team to a score in the final, which has never ever even come close to being chased in a CT or world cup final in the history of cricket.

But, but, Amir won the cup.

Ever seen these Amir fans show the same support for Hasan Ali who was the man of the series in the CT win and played the biggest role? Nope.

But you cannot expect honesty from people who support fixers.

 

[TheSultan]

Amir and his fans stealing credit for the 2017 CT win is the funniest thing I keep seeing.

Hasan Ali was the man of the series.

Junaid bowled his heart out entire series while Amir was a passenger till the final.

Sarfraz captained well throughout


Fakhar helped the team to a score in the final, which has never ever even come close to being chased in a CT or world cup final in the history of cricket.

But, but, Amir won the cup.

Ever seen these Amir fans show the same support for Hasan Ali who was the man of the series in the CT win and played the biggest role? Nope.

But you cannot expect honesty from people who support fixers.

Firstly, I appreciate Hasan’s contribution to the tournament and I have always in my mind given him a long rope, but I can’t justify trash after trash performance.

Secondly, history only remembers the big match eye catching performers.

Take 1992. Wasim had a very wayward tournament. Aqib was much more consistent in the tournament and even had a very good final. But those two matchwinning deliveries will always be remembered. 1992 will forever be synonymous with Wasim Akram despite the fact that he had a very ordinary tournament overall with glimpses of brilliance.

Similarly in 2017. Hassan still did well in the final, but the more eye catching and matchwinning bowling performance was of Amir. To remove Rohit, Kohli and Dhawan in his opening spell was game over!

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Thank you for your kind words.

This might sound depressing, but I honestly don’t think Pakistan cricket will ever recover. The game has moved beyond Pakistan.

Not every sporting team in the world is successful or can be successful. That doesn’t stop people from supporting them. The time has come for the fans to accept where the team is and not look for individual scapegoats when they are not the problem.

For example, for months, the narrative peddled by ignorant fans on this forum and also on social media was that Babar and Rizwan were the problem in white ball cricket and if you remove them, the team will get better.

However, as if we have seen in the Asia Cup, that myth that has been dispelled as well because their replacements are clearly inferior.

When your cricket team is weak, the least you can do is pick your best available team to give yourself a marginal chance of being competitive and we are clearly not doing that.

Only PCB is capable of leaving its two best batsmen at home and make their already weak team even weaker.

The only thing that can save Pakistan cricket hypothetically is an economic boom, resulting in PCB established state of the art centers in all major cities, hiring world class coaching staff at grass-roots, investing in school and club cricket, increasing the salaries of everyone employed in domestic cricket.

If all of that happens, there is no doubt you will see impressive outcomes in a few years down the line, but we both no one of that is going to happen.

Wrong.

You don't keep recycling tried and tested failures if results don't come as expected.

That's another form of delusion and insanity.

If you feel that Saim and Farhan are worse than Babar and Rizwan that's fine.

Kick them out and find someone else and try with them.

But the love story with Babar and Rizwan has to end.

I know you get incentivized for promoting Babar at least but please don't mislead people by telling them if replacements for Babar fail then go back to Babar.

That's not how a sport works.

 

[Mamoon]

Wrong.

You don't keep recycling tried and tested failures if results don't come as expected.

That's another form of delusion and insanity.

If you feel that Saim and Farhan are worse than Babar and Rizwan that's fine.

Kick them out and find someone else and try with them.

But the love story with Babar and Rizwan has to end.

I know you get incentivized for promoting Babar at least but please don't mislead people by telling them if replacements for Babar fail then go back to Babar.

That's not how a sport works.

Real delusion and insanity is dropping your two best batsmen for inferior players and expecting positive outcomes.

Sport works by picking your best available team and that is exactly what Pakistan is not doing.

As long as Babar and Rizwan are superior than their competitors, they have to be in the team regardless of their form.

Eventually, Pakistan will produce better players than them and they will be replaced organically just like Babar and Rizwan replaced those before them organically.

However, that day is not here and it’s laughable to think that trash players like Farhan and Haris are or can be an improvement on them.

I don’t get incentivized for stating the obvious that Babar and Rizwan walk into the Pakistan team in all formats on pure cricketing merit, but it appears that some trolls are getting paid to promote mediocre clowns like Agha, Farhan and Haris because anyone with any grey matter cannot vouch for such nothing cricketers without getting paid.

 

[tiger_khan]

Thank you for your kind words.

This might sound depressing, but I honestly don’t think Pakistan cricket will ever recover. The game has moved beyond Pakistan.

Not every sporting team in the world is successful or can be successful. That doesn’t stop people from supporting them. The time has come for the fans to accept where the team is and not look for individual scapegoats when they are not the problem.

For example, for months, the narrative peddled by ignorant fans on this forum and also on social media was that Babar and Rizwan were the problem in white ball cricket and if you remove them, the team will get better.

However, as if we have seen in the Asia Cup, that myth that has been dispelled as well because their replacements are clearly inferior.

When your cricket team is weak, the least you can do is pick your best available team to give yourself a marginal chance of being competitive and we are clearly not doing that.

Only PCB is capable of leaving its two best batsmen at home and make their already weak team even weaker.

The only thing that can save Pakistan cricket hypothetically is an economic boom, resulting in PCB established state of the art centers in all major cities, hiring world class coaching staff at grass-roots, investing in school and club cricket, increasing the salaries of everyone employed in domestic cricket.

If all of that happens, there is no doubt you will see impressive outcomes in a few years down the line, but we both no one of that is going to happen.

Have your chin high bro.

Just like the Romans used the Colosseum and sports to divert the attention from the real issues of the people, the state of Pakistan has no other choice but to maintain the standard of cricket. Otherwise the people's attention will start switching from discussing cricket to address the real issues of the country, which will be detrimental for the elites. I have a very high hope that eventually the right steps will be taken. They are inevitable.

Yes, we are down right now but we have to give our youngsters a chance and support they deserve. You have already very well highlighted the weaknesses in our system. We have to bear in mind that our youngsters are already disadvantaged by their current system. Never underestimate the audacity and potential of hope married with support. It's the hope and unachievable dreams, which help under-16 boys in Pakistan bowl over 90 miles per hour, in the absence of a proper cricket structure in Pakistan.

As far as Babar and Rizwan are concerned, I think it's time to move on from them in T20s. We should see the current failures of our youngsters not as costs but an investment. In modern day T20 cricket, you have to continue to evolve your techniques. Both of these guys stopped doing it and are not friendly to change. For example, you have been watching cricket for a while now. You must have noticed that many of greats have changed their batting stances over the years when the opposition had figured them out. I don't see any such initiative from these two.

Perhaps the most important issue with Babar and Rizwan is that they are actually trying to play cricket in T20s. Unfortunately, T20 is not cricket. It can be justifiably argued that T20 is not even a sport - not enough energy is exerted.
It's more of a corporate circus which feeds many mouths and give three ours of leisure to the viewers. Three hours are enough to excite a viewer but not enough for a cricketer to display his overall skills.

I don't think fans are ignorant. They are just disadvantaged and don't have many reference points. You and I have seen cricket when pre-knocked cricket bats, small boundaries and intervals after every 10 to 15 minutes didn't make cricketers superstars. Most of the legend of yesteryears had to rely on talent rather than helpful rules and social media.

You have hit the nail right on the head. We need to pay our domestic players reasonable wages along with job security. Every recent board in the past decade or two has betrayed professional cricketers. Pakistani cricket development relied very heavily in the past on the neighborhood/cub cricket. We used to learn a lot form the professional cricketers in our neighborhood. They had permanent cricket jobs with health and other benefits. They also had a desk job waiting for them after their retirement from cricket, in the department they represented as a cricketer. The PCB lately has spent a lot of money on the personnel related to its own administration rather than the domestic players.

If the domestic cricket is to maintain the international standard in Pakistan, our domestic players must be provided with job and financial security after retirement. The should at least be paid middleclass wages. This lets the professional cricketers spread cricket skills during their off-season to the kids in their clubs and neighborhoods.

Thanks for exchanging your views with me.

 

[tiger_khan]

I support Mohd Amir's comments.

Although I don't like his adult personality but as a Pakistani I have also forgiven him for his spot-fixing mistake as a minor (it was not match-fixing).

I was a part of cricket fraternity and can relate to his situation.

When we are young we look up to our senior players, who are our heroes and mentors. We crave guidance from them and start copying them in every aspect of life. We start following their fashion styles and start mimicking them. For example, some cricketers when speaking started to copy the deep voice of Imran Khan when he was the captain. Some of you must have noticed that when Iftikhar Ahmad came to scene, his batting stance and even his gear used be very similar to Misbah ul Haq, whom the former looked up to. We have seen Inzimam's legacy - the downfall of fitness levels, running between the wickets and injection of religion in Pak cricket.

These influences of senior cricketers on juniors are not limited to cricket fields but also attitude towards life.
The influence becomes even more potent when a junior is a minor, who has no elder brother and is distant from his father (for example a middleclass father working overseas). These mentors play a huge role in the making of the character and personality of the minor, who is under their awe. They fill the vacuum left by absent male mentor in the household.

Not every minor is lucky enough to have a mentor like Imran Khan or some other decent person. Amir saw his captain and another senior player of the team doing something and made the mistake of following them. He has also paid for his mistake with the justified punishment. That is the end of the matter for me.

I think it was great that Mike Atherton was chosen to be his interviewer, prior to Amir reconvening international cricket. Atherton is a very well educated, came out of a cricket system of mentoring, deeply empathetic and just a great guy in general. He understood Amir's situation very well and articulated it perfectly for the audience. Hopefully, he was able to convince many people.

Finally, I am willing to forgive and forget the mistakes and crimes of cricketers during their minor years. I rather go after the legends who sold the country when they were adults, never saw prison for their crimes and continue to have jobs with the PCB, directly or indirectly(analysts).

 

[BouncerGuy]

Haris last 6 games: 104 runs at 120 strike rate
Riz last 6 t20 games: 227 at 127.

LOL

 

[tiger_khan]

Haris last 6 games: 104 runs at 120 strike rate
Riz last 6 t20 games: 227 at 127.

LOL

From which over did Rizwan bat in those T20 games? did Pak win? Most of Haris's last few games he has arrived to the crease very late.

Also, if the stats were the only factor taken into consideration then the Microsoft Excel would be the chief-selector of each professional team. The truth is that a player should be evaluated as an entire package, not just one factor.

I am not trying to belittle Rizwan and his services for the country but it's time to invest in younger blood which has more future potential.

I respect your opinion but disagree with it.

 

[Nephrologist]

Exactly.

Australia won World Cups 7 times. They hardly celebrate.

I guess this is why they win a lot. They don't waste their energy in silly celebrations.

Teams should learn how to be mature and not celebrate prematurely like clowns from the Powerhouse of Powerhitting team, Bangladesh.

I guess winning a lot of trophies in tons of sports has made them insensitive to wins hence the calm and collected attitude by the players and especially the fans.

A true global ambassador