Is Mohammad Amir the unluckiest bowler in the world?

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mentioned on television commentary - since his return to Test cricket Mohammad Amir has had 15 catches dropped off his bowling <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/995704522067599360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

Even the ICC is wondering that!

 

[babajee]

Yes

Consistently beats the outside edge for no benefit - when they do edge it is dropped frequently.

Wickets pump up a bowler and can bring more wickets with them. Why would a bowler be motivated if they do all the hard work to get the edge and then it’s dropped? You can see how Amir’s body language changes after he gets a wicket.

The unluckiest bowler in the world by far.

 

[hadi123]

Not really. Yes he has had dropped catches off his bowling but what about all the times he's bowled awful, flat and not looking penetrative at all!

 

[Chief Destroyer]

No, he has only himself to blame. Does not attack the stumps and bowls too short thus beats the edge without any rewards.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

No, he has only himself to blame. Does not attack the stumps and bowls too short thus beats the edge without any rewards.

I am glad there is at least someone who agrees he does not bowl the right lengths.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

No, he has only himself to blame. Does not attack the stumps and bowls too short thus beats the edge without any rewards.

I agree. I thought he was a wonderful bowler prior to his ban, and while he has been unlucky, he's also bowled poorly a lot of times, and you hit the nail on the head re his failure to hit the right areas consistently enough.

 

[waleed88]

Fails to take wickets against WI (UAE), Australia, Newzealand (in NZ), WI (in WI), Sri (UAE), gets outperformed by Abbas, Riaz, Rahat, Wahab in Test Matches, but is unluckiest bowler in the world because he had two dropped catches against Ireland....

 

[waleed88]

He was breaking 5'fers before his dropped catches...

If your stats read 0,1,0,1 in your wickets column, then 2 dropped catches don't make a big difference..

If his wickets column read 3,0,1,2,5,2.. then you can agree Amir is unlucky

 

[aloo paratha]

Yes

Consistently beats the outside edge for no benefit - when they do edge it is dropped frequently.

Wickets pump up a bowler and can bring more wickets with them. Why would a bowler be motivated if they do all the hard work to get the edge and then it’s dropped? You can see how Amir’s body language changes after he gets a wicket.

The unluckiest bowler in the world by far.

He's Consistently 'beating the edge' because he's consistently bowling a 5th or 6th stump line at a back of a length. You're not gonna get many wickets doing that. The batsmen plays initially but holds his line because he doesn't need to play at it, so essentially the batsmen is just leaving it. He needs to bowl fuller hitting the off stump and 4th stump. There's a reason they say hit the top of offstump.

 

[Cric1234]

A bit unlucky but improvement is needed to be the spearhead of the attack going forward best chance on this tour for a while to improve his stats.

 

[babajee]

He's Consistently 'beating the edge' because he's consistently bowling a 5th or 6th stump line at a back of a length. You're not gonna get many wickets doing that. The batsmen plays initially but holds his line because he doesn't need to play at it, so essentially the batsmen is just leaving it. He needs to bowl fuller hitting the off stump and 4th stump. There's a reason they say hit the top of offstump.

Yes he does need to bowl fuller of course, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been unlucky.

 

[badsha001]

What about Wasim Akram? Pakistani players used to drop catches left and right in slips...

 

[Ab Fan]

Fortunes favour the brave

 

[TeamPak95]

I think you can take parts from both sides of the argument here. On a bit of a lighter note, I've noticed that whenever Amir gets the edge he maniacally yells for someone to catch it. Instead of "catch it " it's "CAAAAAAAAAATCHH!!!!!". I think that'd distract any slip fielder, would it not?

 

[Buffet]

I think you can take parts from both sides of the argument here. On a bit of a lighter note, I've noticed that whenever Amir gets the edge he maniacally yells for someone to catch it. Instead of "catch it " it's "CAAAAAAAAAATCHH!!!!!". I think that'd distract any slip fielder, would it not?

Amir and his fans get too excited whenever he gets an edge. Good bowlers would create more chances, but when you create chances rarely due to bowling defensively, it's understandable that you will shout CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATCH.

 

[Abdul]

"Unluckiest."

 

[babajee]

Let’s ask the question another way: If Amir isn’t the unluckiest bowler in the world who is?

 

[Buffet]

What about Wasim Akram? Pakistani players used to drop catches left and right in slips...

He used to create lots of chances due to attacking batsmen. In fact, he used to move the ball a bit too much otherwise he would have gotten more wickets. Only gun batsmen were good enough to nick those balls.

Now Amir bowls back of the length at 6th stump day in and day out. Why anyone needs to play those balls?

 

[Ab Fan]

He used to create lots of chances due to attacking batsmen. In fact, <B>he used to move the ball a bit too much otherwise he would have gotten more wickets. Only gun batsmen were good enough to nick those balls.</B>

Now Amir bowls back of the length at 6th stump day in and day out. Why anyone needs to play those balls?

He was a genius.

 

[QuickCrick]

I agree he’s not the same bowler since he’s come back but at the same time he has been unlucky. A few could argue that wickets give a bowler momentum and had those chances been taken he could have ended with more.

All our players had terrible tours in New Zealand and Australia so singling him out is not fair.

We should lower the expectation, he’s not akram but is still a very good bowler. On his day one the best... Just ask Kohli

 

[FreakCricket]

should be dropped from test, limited over specialistic only/

 

[Abid Z]

He’s carrying an injury. But he’s a shadow of himself. Only the first couple of overs he tries to swing and bowl full but even then he doesn’t bring it into the rhb. I think he won’t play the first test if this carries on.

 

[Robert]

I thought that Gillespie of Australia was ‘unlucky’ but they I decided he was half a yard short and beat the bat instead of getting nicks.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

He’s carrying an injury. But he’s a shadow of himself. Only the first couple of overs he tries to swing and bowl full but even then he doesn’t bring it into the rhb. I think he won’t play the first test if this carries on.

A fool will argue Amir is not unlucky for having dodos in the slip cordon.

Wasim, Waqar, Imran, Shoaib Akhtar knew they had terrible slip cordons as well - so they attacked the stumps all the time and got high %age of LBWs and bowled.

Amir was the same at the beginning - but post his return, he has been afraid to bend his back and attack the stumps. I'd advise he needs some psychological than technical help to overcome this.

 

[Titan24]

No, he has only himself to blame. Does not attack the stumps and bowls too short thus beats the edge without any rewards.

Exactly. He needs to work hard on his length

 

[kingusama92]

I don't know about unlucky but 15 drops in 17 matches is an awful look for PAK's fielding.

And that's just counting Amir's bowling.

 

[in_cutter]

Also him not bowling wicket to wicket does not help.

I don’t think he is not cut for Test cricket. He does not have the heart for it.

 

[Abid Z]

A fool will argue Amir is not unlucky for having dodos in the slip cordon.

Wasim, Waqar, Imran, Shoaib Akhtar knew they had terrible slip cordons as well - so they attacked the stumps all the time and got high %age of LBWs and bowled.

Amir was the same at the beginning - but post his return, he has been afraid to bend his back and attack the stumps. I'd advise he needs some psychological than technical help to overcome this.

I don’t disagree with any of this. He’s unlucky but also is unable to create his own luck. He knows he can’t swing it after the first 5 overs and therefore starts bowling short and wide to protect the run rate and economy. But if that’s the logic he shouldn’t be in the test lineup. He’s basically wasting the new ball.

 

[Rahul1]

https://www.sportswallah.com/cricket/features/who-dropped-most-catches-in-test-cricket-in-2017

According to the stats posted above, Pakistan are actually the 2nd best catching side in tests. But yeah, things like logic and common sense don't apply when talking about Amir. We have to make about 1000 different excuses to defend his incompetence to take wickets.

 

[Sachin136]

Didn't Broad get a dozen catches dropped off his bowling last year?

 

[Ab Fan]

I think Stuart Broad has been one of the most unluckiest bowlers from this era.

He was the lone warrior in 2013 away Ashes when others from his team were pretty much cannon fodder.

He was very impressive in India as well in 2016 where again bar Stokes no-one really made any sort of impact.

In Ashes 2017, he started off really well but due to being the lone warrior in first two test, he lost motivation completely and dropped catches didnt helped him much either.

However, he was exceptional in South Africa 2016 and the way he bowled to the best South African batters was incredible and single-handedly won them match in both Durban and Johannesburg. He also was the best bowler in Ashes 2015 which was eventually won by England.

To conclude things, dunno about fielding singularly, but I would say he is without any doubt the most unluckiest bowler of this era.

 

[Varun]

Ishant Sharma is the unluckiest bowler.

Amir should find another verb to describe himself, because this one is already taken.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Amir:<br>17 matches since his return to Test cricket<br>16 dropped catches off his bowling<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IREvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IREvPAK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/996084090465062914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[DeadBall]

Another edge but guess what ... no second slip.

 

[Ab Fan]

He has been unlucky though. But feel the dropped catches and at times some poor field placement by the captain is something they can and should rectify.

 

[Ab Fan]

He is like being close to there but not there.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Another edge but guess what ... no second slip.

If we start counting the absence of fielders for Amir (in this case slip) as the reason for his poor returns, we might as well start counting near misses and bounce catches.

 

[shortbread]

Let’s ask the question another way: If Amir isn’t the unluckiest bowler in the world who is?

Hafeez......if it wasn't for the biased ban he would have set the cricketing world alight in all 3 facets of the game.

Amir is unlucky, a wicket makes a big difference and bowlers thrive on it. It then brings them more wickets. The exact opposite is happening with Amir right now, the dropped catches, long spells, defensive field placing etc...etc....will do Amir's confidence no good!

 

[DeadBall]

If we start counting the absence of fielders for Amir (in this case slip) as the reason for his poor returns, we might as well start counting near misses and bounce catches.

He has been bad of late but has bowled the correct attacking channels in this match and looked head and shoulders above the rest (apart from Abbas probably). Not to mention the two dropped catches. I am not one to dwell in the past. With better captaincy and catches held we could have been in a totally different position.

 

[aloo paratha]

If we start counting the absence of fielders for Amir (in this case slip) as the reason for his poor returns, we might as well start counting near misses and bounce catches.

Next Amir fans are gonna be like "it hit the middle of the bat but was only an inch and a half away from the edge... So unlucky"

 

[Dr_Bassim]

He has been bad of late but has bowled the correct attacking channels in this match and looked head and shoulders above the rest (apart from Abbas probably). Not to mention the two dropped catches. I am not one to dwell in the past. With better captaincy and catches held we could have been in a totally different position.

True he has bowled well in THIS match.

I am just saying absence of slip is EVEN a weaker excuse for non performance than dropped catches.

 

[MenInG]

He needs a break and some good catches taken off his bowling, the confidence will come back

 

[CricFan2012]

No, stop creating excuses for his selfish non-penetrative bowling.

 

[Abdullah]

9 days rest and he needs to be ready for lords. Want to see a 2010 performance rip the heart out of England's soft top

 

[MenInG]

9 days rest and he needs to be ready for lords. Want to see a 2010 performance rip the heart out of England's soft top

Don't see riproaring speeds from him yet

 

[Xoib]

you make your won luck. His pathetic new ball spell gave the momentum to England.

 

[Couch Cricketer]

Now you know the reason why most of Pakistan great fast bowlers have lbw and bolds as majority of the dismissals. As our fielder's were average they didn't trust them and bowled in line with the wickets. Amir needs to do the same if he wants to get more wickets he doesnt have the height to be effective without pace

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

As usual just not hitting the right areas consistently enough.

 

[Abdul]

But but but he'll do well in England.

 

[waleed88]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mentioned on television commentary - since his return to Test cricket Mohammad Amir has had 15 catches dropped off his bowling <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/995704522067599360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Unluckiest bowler in the world, would be ripping apart the English batting order if it weren't for the dropp... other bowlers bowling better than him.

Yes even Fahim Ashraf

Again he turns out to be the worst of the lot. Not his first time.

 

[waleed88]

Now you know the reason why most of Pakistan great fast bowlers have lbw and bolds as majority of the dismissals. As our fielder's were average they didn't trust them and bowled in line with the wickets. Amir needs to do the same if he wants to get more wickets he doesnt have the height to be effective without pace

Yes they drop catch only off his artistic bowling, but manage to take catches for everyone else

 

[waleed88]

He needs a break and some good catches taken off his bowling, the confidence will come back

Pretty sure its not a confidence issue, but rather a competence one.

 

[Abdullah]

Needs to be more consistent. Got better after the first 4 and picked up the main scalp.
Cookie is feast or famine mode these days

 

[Asch Ali]

well whom should replace him?

Sadaf Hussain?
Mir Hamza?
Mohammed Irfan?

 

[PakSarZameen]

No one should replace Amir. He's in the top 3 best pacers in Pakistan.

Most of those who criticise him just want to point out the fact that he is not the leader of the attack as it's portrayed to be. If Abbas and Hasan play Tests consistently, it will become pretty evident that they are better than Amir.

 

[Dagestani_Eagle]

Only his first spell was little wayward
He bowled excellent lines today

 

[Savak]

Bowlers can get wickets unassisted as well you know, just saying. If Amir is totally dependent on his fielders for taking wickets then maybe he isn't this world class operator we felt he was

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Bowled very well. If he continues with that length, he'll be rewarded. Seeing Hasan and Abbas' lengths should inspire him to continue pitching that daring length.

 

[waleed88]

Lets credit our slip fielding here today, the catching has been brilliant. They seem to take the catches for everyone and fans are really selfish in that they never seem to praise the fielders for their good catching, but when its Mohammad Amir they seem to go after the slip, and blame them to be the reason for Amir's high bowling average.


The standards are clearly equal for everyone. This should be appreciated. We only mention the bad without mentioning the good

 

[MenInG]

The wicket of the day was Cook. If Cook had been allowed to graft his innings then Eng could well have been 250+ It took a good ball to remove a good player - simple.

 

[SaadAliG]

No, he's just the most overrated paceman in our history. Look at his averages. Roman should play(when fit) ahead of him in tests every time.

 

[Xoib]

Amir is at his optimum best when he is 140-145 min tests he does not bowl at that speed this has been the biggest difference Pre and Post ban Amir.

 

[Xoib]

Bowled very well. If he continues with that length, he'll be rewarded. Seeing Hasan and Abbas' lengths should inspire him to continue pitching that daring length.

Agreed finally he is trying to make an effort to be full but the nip he use to get is not there anymore sadly I believe he should make way for Shaheen when he fully develops and for the time being should be rotated with Shenwari

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Agreed finally he is trying to make an effort to be full but the nip he use to get is not there anymore sadly I believe he should make way for Shaheen when he fully develops and for the time being should be rotated with Shenwari

Shinwari is meh. Shaheen will definitely push him out of the lineup if he doesn't get his act together.

 

[Hasan123]

That ball to Cook was a beauty.

 

[DeadBall]

Not so unlucky today. Bairstow looking at sea against him at the moment.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The last spell from Mohammad Amir was 7-18-2. Probably his best spell in Tests since his return to international cricket <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EngvPak?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EngvPak</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1000382397714784256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[Chief Destroyer]

Amir is at his optimum best when he is 140-145 min tests he does not bowl at that speed this has been the biggest difference Pre and Post ban Amir.

There you go.

 

[Xoib]

There you go.

Yeah if he can keep his pace up he will be challenging for the best pacer in the world mantle which should have been his before his 20th birthday

 

[shaz619]

There you go.

What you make of his recent performances technically speaking Chief, is their potential for him to improve further and become more consistent. He had a good game to be fair but you just feel there is something missing, maybe this is his ceiling at this stage of his career; quality bursts in between the quiet moments

 

[waleed88]

Very good performance by Amir on crucial junctures of both games, vs Ireland and the 1st test match...

 

[Chief Destroyer]

What you make of his recent performances technically speaking Chief, is their potential for him to improve further and become more consistent. He had a good game to be fair but you just feel there is something missing, maybe this is his ceiling at this stage of his career; quality bursts in between the quiet moments

Jaan laga kay bowling ki. Yeah, there's plenty of room for improvement. It's his lack of hip mobility which is killing him that he's lost by sitting on his behind for 5 years. He's a top heavy bowler now whereas pre-ban, he used to spring off the ground using his glute strength and mobility.

Technical issues are still there. It's not a matter of stage of his career because they can be fixed at any time but he needs targeted training with a specialist. I hope when Azhar takes the bowlers to a biomechanist, they compare his body alignment pre and after ban, they will see the difference immediately.

 

[aloo paratha]

Finally he's pitching the ball up, and it's working. He has all the ingredients to be a good bowler.

 

[shaz619]

Jaan laga kay bowling ki. Yeah, there's plenty of room for improvement. It's his lack of hip mobility which is killing him that he's lost by sitting on his behind for 5 years. He's a top heavy bowler now whereas pre-ban, he used to spring off the ground using his glute strength and mobility.

Technical issues are still there. It's not a matter of stage of his career because they can be fixed at any time but he needs targeted training with a specialist. I hope when Azhar takes the bowlers to a biomechanist, they compare his body alignment pre and after ban, they will see the difference immediately.

It does seem like a challenge making those adjustments within his current frame, am sure Azhar is aware of the world class facilities at lufbra but he will try and help him improve without the expert analysis which identifies the root cause.