Mohammad Amir in PSL 2018

[Savak]

I wonder what the people who desperately wanted him back during the 5 year ban from 2010 to 2015 are saying and feeling now. Asif was a much bigger loss than this guy to be honest.

 

[rhony]

I wonder what the people who desperately wanted him back during the 5 year ban from 2010 to 2015 are saying and feeling now. Asif was a much bigger loss than this guy to be honest.

Forgot CT final???

 

[Syed1]

Yes he is not having the best PSL but what is the point of bringing back his past?

 

[Mamoon]

He has had zero impact in the PSL over the three editions. Apart from the fluke hat-trick in 2016, I am unable to recall any memorable spell.

 

[Theo_14]

Forgot CT final???

I can only recall 2-3 matches were he has shown his so called elite potential. Otherwise, he has been inconsistent and nowhere near the level he in 2010 at Lords.

 

[Mueez]

He hasn't fulfilled his potential I must say.
He is a world class bowler but just to be a ATG he needs to do more hardwork!

 

[babajee]

Maybe he just isn’t motivated in the PSL

 

[Slog]

Karachi being the powerhouse got both highest rated bowler and batsman in Pakistan (Amir and Babar) but it doesn't seem to be working out

Though to be fair it seems Babar has put up good scores for KK overall. Haven't followed PSL so tbh don't know how effective these runs were

 

[Mamoon]

A decent bowler who can be great on his day. He is not world class and he is not ATG material.

It appears that some people are simply unable to cope with the fact that he is not half the bowler they thought he was. Getting banned in 2010 did his reputation a lot of good. They hype built up for 5 years, otherwise he would have fizzled out by 2012-2013.

The idea that the ban stalled his career is a myth. He fooled the world because of his age and that one series in England where the conditions were heavenly for fast bowlers.

Nonetheless, our fans are the best in the world when it comes to hyping. If Umar would have been banned as well in 2010, the same folks would have been adamant that we have been robbed of the next Tendulkar.

 

[Syed1]

Karachi being the powerhouse got both highest rated bowler and batsman in Pakistan (Amir and Babar) but it doesn't seem to be working out

Though to be fair it seems Babar has put up good scores for KK overall. Haven't followed PSL so tbh don't know how effective these runs were

Let's just say - KK has fared better when Babar has failed. His 50(40) type innings are more detrimental to the team's cause than beneficial.

 

[rhony]

I can only recall 2-3 matches were he has shown his so called elite potential. Otherwise, he has been inconsistent and nowhere near the level he in 2010 at Lords.

He needs inspiration and a challenge.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Seriously? His team just conceded 155 from 12 overs and he was still the most economical bowler and had Ronchi dropped, is this honestly the right time for the usual bash Amir thread?

 

[IndianFan2018]

isn't after all.

Whiich Pak fans thinks he is the one !

 

[rhony]

Karachi being the powerhouse got both highest rated bowler and batsman in Pakistan (Amir and Babar) but it doesn't seem to be working out

Though to be fair it seems Babar has put up good scores for KK overall. Haven't followed PSL so tbh don't know how effective these runs were

There's a pattern in his 50s. 40 ball 50 and then accelerate. Maybe it's the anchor role he was designated to do. He needs a 30 ball 50 for his team to benefit more often

 

[Mamoon]

Seriously? His team just conceded 155 from 12 overs and he was still the most economical bowler and had Ronchi dropped, is this honestly the right time for the usual bash Amir thread?

He set the tone for Ronchi and United with his pathetic first over.

 

[HuzaifaE]

He fooled the world because of his age

What does that even mean? Are we supposed to just discredit a teenager tearing apart Australia and England?

 

[Hawkeye]

it's okay.

Performs when it matters, and on big stage.

Don't care much if he doesn't perform exceptionally well in leagues.

 

[Greenstorm]

He bowls well in international T20s. Ronchi was dropped of his bowling today.

 

[coy0607]

not sure what is going on with him.. aside from his performances, even his pace has been a really inconsistent. One days he's bowling at 128kph or so, later he's bowling around 140kph. Its like he's picking and choosing how much effort he wants to put in that day

 

[Mercurial]

He is a world class T20 bowler, regardless of his performance today. He wasn't the main culprit today.

 

[Mamoon]

What does that even mean? Are we supposed to just discredit a teenager tearing apart Australia and England?

A lot of youngsters are really good for their age, but it does not mean that they all improve exponentially. Amir at 17-18 looked like a legend in the making, but Amir at 25 is nothing special.

There are many such examples in all sports. If that was not the case, every good teenager would have developed into a top player in his peak years.

Some times, the opposite happens too. For example, Boult at 20 was nowhere close to Amir at 17, but Boult at 28 is much superior to Amir at 25.

Generally, very few players become much better than what they are during their teenage years. Most players simply maintain that level (they level off), while others regress. Time will tell if Amir has leveled off or regressed.

He is still lethal in great bowling conditions, so if he gets to bowl in the England 2010 like conditions again, he is likely to create havoc.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Do we really need a thread after every match in which Aamir does not perform?

 

[Kroll]

Sadly not had much impact even in his best format.

 

[IndianFan2018]

Maybe he just isn’t motivated in the PSL

will get motivated only when King 2 at the crease )

 

[Rishta Aunty]

I would rest Amir for all games, and just bring him in for big games. That's the only time he delivers. He's like the anti-Amla in that sense.

 

[Greenstorm]

I would rest Amir for all games, and just bring him in for big games. That's the only time he delivers. He's like the anti-Amla in that sense.

Yes I would do the same and we have bowling options to actually do that. I hope he is rested for the games against WestIndies.

 

[Rayyman]

Was expecting Amir to come out and swing the new ball but he didn't even try. Same back of the length rubbish we've been seeing for my months now. And poor line too. On leg side as always. Shouldn't have done that as Ronchi had taken him apart earlier in the tournament to leg side bowling too. It's becoming a habit. Roy and Hales smashed these deliveries and Guptill recently too. Disappointing.

 

[HuzaifaE]

A lot of youngsters are really good for their age, but it does not mean that they all improve exponentially. Amir at 17-18 looked like a legend in the making, but Amir at 25 is nothing special.

There are many such examples in all sports. If that was not the case, every good teenager would have developed into a top player in his peak years.

Some times, the opposite happens too. For example, Boult at 20 was nowhere close to Amir at 17, but Boult at 28 is much superior to Amir at 25.

Generally, very few players become much better than what they are during their teenage years. Most players simply maintain that level (they level off), while others regress. Time will tell if Amir has leveled off or regressed.

He is still lethal in great bowling conditions, so if he gets to bowl in the England 2010 like conditions again, he is likely to create havoc.

Okay quite a few things here.

1) To say very few players improve significantly beyond teenage years is a statement that I find beyond baffling, it quite literally makes no sense, fast bowlers peak around mid to late 20s, batsmen around 30, how can you say that a decade of development means typically very little improvement on average?

2) I completely agree it doesn't mean players improve exponentially, but that is complete guesswork and conjecture, fact is Amir was improving with time while he was playing, was able to clock well above 90 mph and could pitch it up and swing it late both ways, with a good skiddy bouncer. That is a full skillset - on what basis the guess that he wouldn't improve further holds more water than him not improving with more experience? I do not know.

3) That's a semi-strawman. Just because he can bowl well still in helpful conditions doesn't mean he would have leveled off and that he peaked as a 17 year old when he did the same.

For the record, I believe Amir is not the bowler he was or the bowler he could have been. I don't see him as Wasim incarnate. But to re-modify history into saying he probably wouldn't have gone from strength to strength and would just eek away into mediocrity when the pitch wouldn't be a greentop is as slanted an argument to the other end of the spectrum as the "he can still overtake Wasim" belief is...

 

[in_cutter]

Gun barrel straight bowler. No variations at all.

 

[Darkrai]

when will people realize that Amir isn't Wasim. Amir isn't even a great bowler. Shinwari has out bowled him in most of the PSL. Amir is a decent to good bowler, who can turn in a super performance once a year or so. Time to move on from this belief that Amir is an elite bowler.

 

[Rayyman]

A lot of youngsters are really good for their age, but it does not mean that they all improve exponentially. Amir at 17-18 looked like a legend in the making, but Amir at 25 is nothing special.

There are many such examples in all sports. If that was not the case, every good teenager would have developed into a top player in his peak years.

Some times, the opposite happens too. For example, Boult at 20 was nowhere close to Amir at 17, but Boult at 28 is much superior to Amir at 25.

Generally, very few players become much better than what they are during their teenage years. Most players simply maintain that level (they level off), while others regress. Time will tell if Amir has leveled off or regressed.

He is still lethal in great bowling conditions, so if he gets to bowl in the England 2010 like conditions again, he is likely to create havoc.

Well he got the MOTS in the T20I series in the recent NZ tour. Exactly 2 years after his return to the LOI team and against the same team and in the same country. Leading Pak to win.

Now hopefully he will get MOTS in the Test series in the coming England tour. Exactly 2 years after his return to the Test team and against the same team and in the same country. Leading Pak to win.

One of the matches is in Headingley iirc. That place has swinging conditions.

Your predictions are usually on spot hopefully this one is too.

 

[khan991]

Apart from the stats you can see the class difference when he comes to bowl. He would make any teams playing 11 in the world. Pakistanis need to appreciate their own talent.

 

[Mamoon]

Okay quite a few things here.

1) To say very few players improve significantly beyond teenage years is a statement that I find beyond baffling, it quite literally makes no sense, fast bowlers peak around mid to late 20s, batsmen around 30, how can you say that a decade of development means typically very little improvement on average?

Majority of the 17-18 years old in any sport are extremely good for their age, and that is why they are professionals at such a young age. However, if they were all to continuously improve as their careers progress, they would all end up as world class players in their peak years. However, it does not work like that for most players.

A 38 year old Hafeez is marginally better than 20 year old Hafeez. He is more consistent now because of his experience, but his skill level has not changed much - it plateaued at a young age.

Same goes for the likes of Malik, Shehzad etc. However, it also happens for world class players as well. Kohli at 29-30 is skill-wise not much better than what he was 4-5 years ago, he is simply more experienced now and is able to score more consistently because of his experience.

Amir is in the same boat. Skill wise, he leveled off early in his career. He has always struggled to take wickets on flat wickets and he is still struggling. He might be marginally better in a few years because of experience, but he is unlikely to take his bowling to the next level.

2) I completely agree it doesn't mean players improve exponentially, but that is complete guesswork and conjecture, fact is Amir was improving with time while he was playing, was able to clock well above 90 mph and could pitch it up and swing it late both ways, with a good skiddy bouncer. That is a full skillset - on what basis the guess that he wouldn't improve further holds more water than him not improving with more experience? I do not know.

It is a game of probability. Amir might be that one in ten player who will continuously improve with age, but the chances are low. In addition, consider how little progress he has made after two full years, it appears that he is not going to get much better than what he is now.

3) That's a semi-strawman. Just because he can bowl well still in helpful conditions doesn't mean he would have leveled off and that he peaked as a 17 year old when he did the same.

For the record, I believe Amir is not the bowler he was or the bowler he could have been. I don't see him as Wasim incarnate. But to re-modify history into saying he probably wouldn't have gone from strength to strength and would just eek away into mediocrity when the pitch wouldn't be a greentop is as slanted an argument to the other end of the spectrum as the "he can still overtake Wasim" belief is...

A great performance in helpful conditions early in a career can often fool people. Junaid Khan produced a magnificent spell against India on one cold morning in Chennai and the world thought that the next big thing has arrived, but he was not able to kick on from there because that spell had a lot to do with the conditions, and little with the fact that he was a top bowler in the making.

Amir has always struggled to take wickets on flat wickets. He struggled against SL in SL, and he was blunt against Australia in Australia barring one spell at the MCG. He also did not take many wickets in NZ, and the only time where he truly came to the fore was in England in 2010, where the conditions were extremely good for fast bowling.

Years later, we are seeing a similar pattern. He struggles on flat wickets, but looks very good on green-tops. It is looking increasingly obvious that strengths and weaknesses as a 17 year old had little to do with his inexperience; it is who he was as a bowler in terms of skills.

It is not revision of history. It is becoming quite obvious that his struggles on flat pitches as a young bowler was not down to inexperience.

 

[Hasan123]

Disappointing performance by him so far.

 

[waleed88]

I wonder what the people who desperately wanted him back during the 5 year ban from 2010 to 2015 are saying and feeling now. Asif was a much bigger loss than this guy to be honest.

This man has a very poor attitude, has no grit or determination. Karachi has never really benefitted from him. He looks disinterested and going through the motions most of the time. He needs to be sold asap he has been Karachi's worst investment.

 

[shokz1408]

He's been pretty poor for a long time, apart from the CT Final I can't remember much else from him. I feel there's better bowlers than him to play for pakistan at the moment. However, probably shouldn't be dropped from our ODI team since the WC is in England next year and I feel he will turn up.

 

[HuzaifaE]

it also happens for world class players as well. Kohli at 29-30 is skill-wise not much better than what he was 4-5 years ago, he is simply more experienced now and is able to score more consistently because of his experience.

Okay this is a good example, Kohli at 29 is a MUCH better overall player than he was at 24 in terms of performance. Why? doesn't matter, skill, experience, whatever. That is half a decade to hone skills and develop awareness and game IQ. That is the same amount of time that Amir had lost from the transition period of starting his international career to now where he should be preparing to enter his prime.

Do you not think it's fair to, IN THE DISCUSSION OF HOW GOOD HE WAS OR COULD HAVE BEEN (not how good he is now), to say that he similarly could develop and get the experience to overcome the issues he had (flat decks etc).

Kohli managed to do so for some types of decks and I know Kohli is a horrible example in one sense because he's an actual ATG, but there are plenty of players who had issues when they started off and got better.

Amir had those issues and then left the game for 5 years then came back and has had to pickup the process again. If you concede he can be better in 5 years, then why is the view that Amir in 5 years from now, would, at worst, be hypothetically what we'd have as Amir right now without the ban?

It is a game of probability. Amir might be that one in ten player who will continuously improve with age, but the chances are low.

See I find it hard to agree that you can gather experience and become a better allround performer, MOST players do, then say Amir would be some sort of Wahab-esque peanut brain that can't learn from mistakes or understand how to adapt to different challenges like all great players can and do. Amir was seen as a very smart bowler as well as skillful one, he wouldn't have stuck out if he was just a green mamba expert.

Amir has always struggled to take wickets on flat wickets. He struggled against SL in SL, and he was blunt against Australia in Australia barring one spell at the MCG. He also did not take many wickets in NZ, and the only time where he truly came to the fore was in England in 2010, where the conditions were extremely good for fast bowling.

We're taking about a 17/18 year old here aren't we? I fail to see which fast bowlers all had their skills and knowledge sorted out and figured at that age and were blowing every top class team out the water on every deck.

Years later, we are seeing a similar pattern. He struggles on flat wickets, but looks very good on green-tops. It is looking increasingly obvious that strengths and weaknesses as a 17 year old had little to do with his inexperience; it is who he was as a bowler in terms of skills.

This is reasonable, I generally agree with your summary of where he appears to be as of his current state, but take Kohli away from cricket from when he was say, 23, then throw him back when he is 28. Do you think he'd be as good? That initial struggle for all players when they face their first hurdles was something Amir hasn't had to experience. He only had a taste of every condition, then was banned, then by virtue of reputation, has been undroppable and hasn't had to battle and forge his way which is why he trundles in tests at 130 KPH whereas he charged in at 145 in his early days. That all needs to be considered in the "who he could be context", but we don't disagree too much in the "where he is" aspect.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

he doesnt look interested

There is no excusing it



Its great that he turns up in the finals but we need the consistency

 

[Mueez]

SA 2018 will tell us a lot!

 

[Ellipsism]

Enough is enough. There’s only so long you can keep playing him and just waiting for him to find his groove. Giving him the boot or just relegating him to the bench will do him some good.

 

[Abdullah]

If pak was playing a knock out game of cricket tomorrow I would want him in the team. That's what matters most to be honest.
Hasn't had a great psl at all, but expecting his best in the next game

 

[Savak]

Amir has been playing for 3 years now including both domestic and internationals, on the one hand people are saying he has been over bowled but the excuse of missing out on 5 years of cricket and being rusty do not hold anymore. He is just not as good as people believe he is and his true level has been exposed for a long time now.

 

[Zaz]

Sami is probably the best pakistani performer in the psl is he a better bowler than amir?

Lets not get too heat up about t20, its fun cricket

 

[Savak]

Sami is probably the best pakistani performer in the psl is he a better bowler than amir?

Lets not get too heat up about t20, its fun cricket

If Amir is a better bowler then Sami then shouldn't he be outperforming Sami in the PSL?

 

[ManFan]

If Amir is a better bowler then Sami then shouldn't he be outperforming Sami in the PSL?

Amir performs better when the stakes are high. Sami loses it. As a coach, I’ll take the former.

 

[Savak]

Amir performs better when the stakes are high. Sami loses it. As a coach, I’ll take the former.

So stakes are not high in the PSL, in the NZ ODI series, against Sri Lanka in the Test matches, against Australia and NZ in the test matches?

 

[Zaz]

If Amir is a better bowler then Sami then shouldn't he be outperforming Sami in the PSL?

Not necessarily And anyway i dont understand why we are judging the caliber of a bowl on a domestic t20 league Only pakistani fans take t20 so seriously

 

[backfootpunch]

A decent bowler who can be great on his day. He is not world class and he is not ATG material.

It appears that some people are simply unable to cope with the fact that he is not half the bowler they thought he was. Getting banned in 2010 did his reputation a lot of good. They hype built up for 5 years, otherwise he would have fizzled out by 2012-2013.

The idea that the ban stalled his career is a myth. He fooled the world because of his age and that one series in England where the conditions were heavenly for fast bowlers.

Nonetheless, our fans are the best in the world when it comes to hyping. If Umar would have been banned as well in 2010, the same folks would have been adamant that we have been robbed of the next Tendulkar.

Come on Mamoon you're a better poster than this. How can you discredit his career like this by saying he would have fizzled out by 2012-2013? To make him out as if he's some bowling version of Umar Akmal is some false analogy.

He was (pre-ban) and is still a world class LOI bowler with the following notable performances:

1. WT20 2009: For someone who had never played intl cricket his performances were remarkable particularly in the semi and the final where he bowled a special over to Dilshan who was spankin bowlers for fun in that tournament, could barely put bat to bowl in those 6 deliveries he faced and was eventually outfoxed.

2. CT 2009: Followed up the above success with some great bowling performances particularly against India where he famously dismissed Tendulkar in that game. Bowled well against NZ but the team choked even in a pretty easy run chase against an ordinary bowling attack.

3. WT 2010: His last ICC tournament before he lost the plot with the spot-fixing scandal and again he didn't fail to impress. Bowled well in the semis especially in the back end but Afridi's captaincy and Ajmal's bowling in the last over let the team down - but a great finish by Hussey nonetheless.

After his ban:

He turned into a defensive bowler in LOIs and if you look at the economies of pacers after the 2015 WC he is among the very best (if not the best) - so if we consider his role which is to restrict opponents and build pressure with dot balls he's been great. Lot of his economical overs have aided bowlers at the other end such as Hasan Ali and etc who is the enforcer and will attack batsman in return for wickets. It's a healthy combination who complement each other for the greater good of the team and this cannot be underestimated.

As for notable performances after his return from that 5 year ban:

1. Asia cup - particularly v India 2016 - where if it wasn't for Kohli you could argue Pakistan may have be been able to win that because he seemed unstoppable in that match. Was unlucky not to have him out lbw it must be said.

2. Last year's CT win - turned up when it mattered the most against India again in an ICC final - was far too good for Kohli this time. Don't need to say any more about this do I?

and I'm sure he will be a success in next year's WC... although that doesn't mean Pakistan will go far because the batting isn't great.

The only ICC tournament where he flopped was 2016 WT20 but in all fairness he had only just returned to international cricket with just an Asia cup and short LOI tour of NZ behind him.

With this being the exception going by the above list he has an impressive and immaculate resume when it comes to ICC tournaments and this proves one thing he's a big match player who knows how to rise to the occasion. Last year's CT final and 2009 WT20 final bowling performances exemplify this. He played significant roles in both of Pakistan's ICC tournament wins post-1992 WC.

I appreciate you're not his biggest fan and you would like to have seen him banned permanently but doesn't mean one's judgements should be clouded because of their dislike of the player.

Yes he's been rubbish in all PSL tournaments but I don't want a bowling version of Kamran Akmal who has been exceptional at domestic level but when it comes to playing in green colours it's a different story. Whereas Amir is the polar opposite and what you do in international cricket (once you've made the cut) is what counts.

Like yourself I'm also a big Kohli fan but has it ever occurred to you that Amir annihilates him when we compare performances in ICC tournaments?

To conclude if Pakistan is going to do anything significant next year in the WC they can't do it without a firing Amir. His ability to rise to the occasion in the big games is a rare trait not just among his peers but also in the international circuit. Instead of the criticisms we should be cherishing his presence for Pakistan in LOIs.

 

[Savak]

Not necessarily And anyway i dont understand why we are judging the caliber of a bowl on a domestic t20 league Only pakistani fans take t20 so seriously

This is not just based on his performance in the PSL only but his overall performances since his comeback. The guy had he not been Mohd Amir and been someone else would have been dropped a long time ago for his horrific inconsistency.

 

[Mamoon]

Okay this is a good example, Kohli at 29 is a MUCH better overall player than he was at 24 in terms of performance. Why? doesn't matter, skill, experience, whatever. That is half a decade to hone skills and develop awareness and game IQ. That is the same amount of time that Amir had lost from the transition period of starting his international career to now where he should be preparing to enter his prime.

Do you not think it's fair to, IN THE DISCUSSION OF HOW GOOD HE WAS OR COULD HAVE BEEN (not how good he is now), to say that he similarly could develop and get the experience to overcome the issues he had (flat decks etc).

Kohli managed to do so for some types of decks and I know Kohli is a horrible example in one sense because he's an actual ATG, but there are plenty of players who had issues when they started off and got better.

Amir had those issues and then left the game for 5 years then came back and has had to pickup the process again. If you concede he can be better in 5 years, then why is the view that Amir in 5 years from now, would, at worst, be hypothetically what we'd have as Amir right now without the ban?




See I find it hard to agree that you can gather experience and become a better allround performer, MOST players do, then say Amir would be some sort of Wahab-esque peanut brain that can't learn from mistakes or understand how to adapt to different challenges like all great players can and do. Amir was seen as a very smart bowler as well as skillful one, he wouldn't have stuck out if he was just a green mamba expert.



We're taking about a 17/18 year old here aren't we? I fail to see which fast bowlers all had their skills and knowledge sorted out and figured at that age and were blowing every top class team out the water on every deck.




This is reasonable, I generally agree with your summary of where he appears to be as of his current state, but take Kohli away from cricket from when he was say, 23, then throw him back when he is 28. Do you think he'd be as good? That initial struggle for all players when they face their first hurdles was something Amir hasn't had to experience. He only had a taste of every condition, then was banned, then by virtue of reputation, has been undroppable and hasn't had to battle and forge his way which is why he trundles in tests at 130 KPH whereas he charged in at 145 in his early days. That all needs to be considered in the "who he could be context", but we don't disagree too much in the "where he is" aspect.

If Amir was as good as he was touted to be, he would have shown a lot more in the last two years. He has had more than enough time to get his groove back. Had Kohli been banned at 23, he may not have been the giant that he is today, but he would certainly have been more than just a decent batsman.

Amir is not even 50% of the bowler that he was hyped up to be. Yes his development was stunted for five years, but he has been back for two years and has played a lot of cricket in all formats at all levels. Surely, after two years, he should be good enough to bowl well consistently but that is not the case.

Secondly, the reason Amir was hyped to the moon in 2010 was entirely due to their age. People were willing to forego his lack of performances on flat wickets because of the fact that he was a teenager. Ultimately, it proved to be an illusion because his inability to run through flat wickets was not because of his inexperience but because of his inability.

Wahab is an extreme example and I never said that is going to go down his route. The only thing Wahab has over him is pace - Amir is a better bowler in all other aspects, and he should have a more consistent career. However, he does not have the ability to be an ATG, and I do not think it because he was out of the game for five years.

Clearly, after two is years, it is time for us to acknowledge that he was overhyped in hindsight and his potential was oversold because he looked better in the summer of 2010 than he actually was.

Now as far as the improvement with age is concerned, it does not happen for every player. In fact, it does not happen for most players, otherwise you would not have mediocre 30 year old players. Some times - and Amir is one such example - players reach their potential at a very early age and thus, level of expectations get very high.

I used Kohli as an example to cite that improvement with age mostly happens at a mental level. A young Kohli manhandled peak Ajmal and Malinga when most batsmen struggled against them, so he is not necessarily a more skilled batsman today - he is simply more stronger mentally and understands his game better.

With time, Amir might be able to understand his game better, but how likely is he to improve on his skills? As I said, considering the hype, he should have been a lot better after two years. I do not expect him to bowl like Starc or Rabada, but at least he should have been at the level of someone like Boult or Hazlewood.

Had Kohli been banned at 23, he might have been like Rohit today. However, if he would have at the level of someone like Chandimal two years into his comeback, serious questions would have been asked over his ability in the first place.

 

[barah_admi]

Let's just say - KK has fared better when Babar has failed. His 50(40) type innings are more detrimental to the team's cause than beneficial.

Whats that got to do with Azams batting? He isnt the entire team. Of his 4 50 or more scores, one has led to a win, another to a super over and yes 2 losses but take away those scores and KK would not have one of those wins (meaning no qualification) and would not even have been competitive in the other games.

Babar has been exceptional, the 3rd best bat in the tourney.

As for Amir (back on topic) he has consistently taken wickets but not yet had a big haul, yet I'd rather someone that took a wicket a game and went 5 runs or less in a spell, than someone who has one big haul and then is too expensive outside of that. This current game was an aberration but he still never came out of it the worse one.

 

[ManFan]

So stakes are not high in the PSL, in the NZ ODI series, against Sri Lanka in the Test matches, against Australia and NZ in the test matches?

The PSL is a carnival league.
The NZ ODI series he underperformed but so did the likes of Hasan and Raees. Small boundaries and their in-form opening partners tore our attack apart.
SL in the UAE it was common knowledge and acknowledged by the management he was not fully fit but was played anyways. The only bowler who took wickets in that series was Yasir Shah.
AUS and NZ were inexcusable. That being said, he had plenty of catches dropped in the NZ series. But he was lackluster, no doubt.
These may sound like excuses but they show that Amir is a hot and cold bowler. Even in the CT Final, he was recovering from back spasms which he missed the SF for a few days before. The pressure was on, Indo-Pak Final, PAK recovering from a thrashing two weeks prior by the same opponent, top 3 who won the 2013 CT, top 3 who were the highest scorers in the tournament, the number 1 ODI batsman who was dropped at first slip.
Someone should make a thread on how many catches have been dropped off Amir's bowling since his comeback.
Off the top of my head:
Afridi in his comeback match.
Maqsood in his comeback match.
Hafeez at Lords.
Sarfraz at Lords.
YK during the 2nd Test.
Azhar Ali at Edgbaston.
Sarfraz during the ENG ODI series.
Sami Aslam in NZ.
Sami Aslam in NZ.
Misbah against the WI in the UAE.
Kholi in the CT Final.

 

[Rayyman]

The PSL is a carnival league.
The NZ ODI series he underperformed but so did the likes of Hasan and Raees. Small boundaries and their in-form opening partners tore our attack apart.
SL in the UAE it was common knowledge and acknowledged by the management he was not fully fit but was played anyways. The only bowler who took wickets in that series was Yasir Shah.
AUS and NZ were inexcusable. That being said, he had plenty of catches dropped in the NZ series. But he was lackluster, no doubt.
These may sound like excuses but they show that Amir is a hot and cold bowler. Even in the CT Final, he was recovering from back spasms which he missed the SF for a few days before. The pressure was on, Indo-Pak Final, PAK recovering from a thrashing two weeks prior by the same opponent, top 3 who won the 2013 CT, top 3 who were the highest scorers in the tournament, the number 1 ODI batsman who was dropped at first slip.
Someone should make a thread on how many catches have been dropped off Amir's bowling since his comeback.
Off the top of my head:
Afridi in his comeback match.
Maqsood in his comeback match.
Hafeez at Lords.
Sarfraz at Lords.
YK during the 2nd Test.
Azhar Ali at Edgbaston.
Sarfraz during the ENG ODI series.
Sami Aslam in NZ.
Sami Aslam in NZ.
Misbah against the WI in the UAE.
Kholi in the CT Final.

Khurram Manzoor today

 

[Mamoon]

Come on Mamoon you're a better poster than this. How can you discredit his career like this by saying he would have fizzled out by 2012-2013? To make him out as if he's some bowling version of Umar Akmal is some false analogy.

He was (pre-ban) and is still a world class LOI bowler with the following notable performances:

1. WT20 2009: For someone who had never played intl cricket his performances were remarkable particularly in the semi and the final where he bowled a special over to Dilshan who was spankin bowlers for fun in that tournament, could barely put bat to bowl in those 6 deliveries he faced and was eventually outfoxed.

2. CT 2009: Followed up the above success with some great bowling performances particularly against India where he famously dismissed Tendulkar in that game. Bowled well against NZ but the team choked even in a pretty easy run chase against an ordinary bowling attack.

3. WT 2010: His last ICC tournament before he lost the plot with the spot-fixing scandal and again he didn't fail to impress. Bowled well in the semis especially in the back end but Afridi's captaincy and Ajmal's bowling in the last over let the team down - but a great finish by Hussey nonetheless.

After his ban:

He turned into a defensive bowler in LOIs and if you look at the economies of pacers after the 2015 WC he is among the very best (if not the best) - so if we consider his role which is to restrict opponents and build pressure with dot balls he's been great. Lot of his economical overs have aided bowlers at the other end such as Hasan Ali and etc who is the enforcer and will attack batsman in return for wickets. It's a healthy combination who complement each other for the greater good of the team and this cannot be underestimated.

As for notable performances after his return from that 5 year ban:

1. Asia cup - particularly v India 2016 - where if it wasn't for Kohli you could argue Pakistan may have be been able to win that because he seemed unstoppable in that match. Was unlucky not to have him out lbw it must be said.

2. Last year's CT win - turned up when it mattered the most against India again in an ICC final - was far too good for Kohli this time. Don't need to say any more about this do I?

and I'm sure he will be a success in next year's WC... although that doesn't mean Pakistan will go far because the batting isn't great.

The only ICC tournament where he flopped was 2016 WT20 but in all fairness he had only just returned to international cricket with just an Asia cup and short LOI tour of NZ behind him.

With this being the exception going by the above list he has an impressive and immaculate resume when it comes to ICC tournaments and this proves one thing he's a big match player who knows how to rise to the occasion. Last year's CT final and 2009 WT20 final bowling performances exemplify this. He played significant roles in both of Pakistan's ICC tournament wins post-1992 WC.

I appreciate you're not his biggest fan and you would like to have seen him banned permanently but doesn't mean one's judgements should be clouded because of their dislike of the player.

Yes he's been rubbish in all PSL tournaments but I don't want a bowling version of Kamran Akmal who has been exceptional at domestic level but when it comes to playing in green colours it's a different story. Whereas Amir is the polar opposite and what you do in international cricket (once you've made the cut) is what counts.

Like yourself I'm also a big Kohli fan but has it ever occurred to you that Amir annihilates him when we compare performances in ICC tournaments?

To conclude if Pakistan is going to do anything significant next year in the WC they can't do it without a firing Amir. His ability to rise to the occasion in the big games is a rare trait not just among his peers but also in the international circuit. Instead of the criticisms we should be cherishing his presence for Pakistan in LOIs.

I have a problem with the defense that his role in the team is to bowl economically. The reason why he has this role in the first place is because he is an impotent bowler who does not know the art of taking wickets regularly. Hasan Ali usurped him as a strike bowler in less than 12 months because he took wickets and did not make excuses.

Secondly, Amir is a big game bowler, but we need to take his so-called big performance into context as well. And no, he does not annihilate Kohli as far as performances in ICC tournaments are concerned. In his quest to make him look like someone who is extremely clutch, people tend to lose perspective.

WT20 2009 - no doubt he was very good. He set the tone for the final when he dismissed the batsman of the tournament Dilshan for a duck.

WT20 2010 - he was as big as culprit as Ajmal for the semifinal defeat. Everyone remembers Ajmal getting tonked by Hussey in the final over, but they conveniently forgotten that Amir went for 15+ runs himself in the penultimate over.

Asia Cup 2016 - that was a quality spell, but it was an extremely seamer friendly wicket and pretty much every bowler from both sides looked unplayable. Any decent pacer would have looked great on that wicket. Amir did not do anything special.

Champions Trophy 2017 - Everyone seems to remember him performing in the final, but they have conveniently forgotten that he was largely carried into the final by his teammates.

After the pasting at the hand of India in the opening game, the SA match was a must win game for us. Amir was the only bowler who went wicket-less that day. Had other bowlers also failed to turn like Amir, Pakistan would have been on the way back home. Clearly, that game also "mattered most", but Amir failed to turn up.

Yes he played a key role vs SL, but he did not even play in the semifinal. Overall, Amir had little influence in Pakistan's road to the final.

Now as far the final itself was concerned, let's not forget that he had the luxury of defending a mammoth total. In the pressure of a tournament final, most teams - even if they are as good as India - would balk under the pressure of chasing such a huge total, and most bowling attacks would be able to defend such a total.

With or without Amir, Pakistan would have defended that total on that day. Amir taking 3 wickets to defend 338 is like Kohli scoring an 80 not out while chasing a meagre total of 200 in a final. It is a great performance, but we cannot say that Amir was the reason Pakistan won. That win was entirely down to our batting.

Now if we look at some of Kohli's big performances in ICC tournaments, they are comfortably better then Amir's. His small cameo in the 2011 World Cup Final to prevent India from collapsing was more important than many half-centuries. Had India lost a third wicket at that point, it could very well have been curtains for them.

In the 2013 Champions Trophy Final, he played a crucial knock in difficult conditions to give India a competitive total to defend.

In the 2015 World Cup, he scored a hundred to set up a win for India against Pakistan.

In the 2014 WT20, he played a brilliant innings to win India the semifinal against South Africa. In the final, he single-handledly dragged India to a competitive total.

In the 2016 WT20, he single-handledly won India the match against Pakistan on a difficult pitch where all other batsmen failed. Against Australia, he played one of the ATG T20 knocks to single-handledly take India into the semifinals. In the semifinal against the WI, he was again the reason why India posted a big total.

In the 2017 Champions Trophy, his fantastic innings in the first game took the match away from Pakistan.

Overall, when you compare their performances in ICC tournaments, Kohli has been comfortably better because he has been more influential in terms of shaping the outcome of the match.

Yes Kohli failed in the World Cup 2015 Semifinal and the 2017 Champions Trophy Final while chasing massive totals, but you cannot compare that to Amir defending a huge total.

Let's see what Amir can do when he has to defend a score of 150 on a flat pitch in a final. I agree that Amir might do well in the World Cup next year. If Pakistan go on another dream on the back of 2-3 players, Amir might turn up in the final and run away with the plaudits after going missing throughout the tournament.

Being a free-rider and turning up when the match is already won or lost seems to be Amir's speciality these days, because he clearly does not seem to have the heart to carry his team on his back.

 

[ManFan]

I have a problem with the defense that his role in the team is to bowl economically. The reason why he has this role in the first place is because he is an impotent bowler who does not know the art of taking wickets regularly. Hasan Ali usurped him as a strike bowler in less than 12 months because he took wickets and did not make excuses.

Secondly, Amir is a big game bowler, but we need to take his so-called big performance into context as well. And no, he does not annihilate Kohli as far as performances in ICC tournaments are concerned. In his quest to make him look like someone who is extremely clutch, people tend to lose perspective.

WT20 2009 - no doubt he was very good. He set the tone for the final when he dismissed the batsman of the tournament Dilshan for a duck.

WT20 2010 - he was as big as culprit as Ajmal for the semifinal defeat. Everyone remembers Ajmal getting tonked by Hussey in the final over, but they conveniently forgotten that Amir went for 15+ runs himself in the penultimate over.

Asia Cup 2016 - that was a quality spell, but it was an extremely seamer friendly wicket and pretty much every bowler from both sides looked unplayable. Any decent pacer would have looked great on that wicket. Amir did not do anything special.

Champions Trophy 2017 - Everyone seems to remember him performing in the final, but they have conveniently forgotten that he was largely carried into the final by his teammates.

After the pasting at the hand of India in the opening game, the SA match was a must win game for us. Amir was the only bowler who went wicket-less that day. Had other bowlers also failed to turn like Amir, Pakistan would have been on the way back home. Clearly, that game also "mattered most", but Amir failed to turn up.

Yes he played a key role vs SL, but he did not even play in the semifinal. Overall, Amir had little influence in Pakistan's road to the final.

Now as far the final itself was concerned, let's not forget that he had the luxury of defending a mammoth total. In the pressure of a tournament final, most teams - even if they are as good as India - would balk under the pressure of chasing such a huge total, and most bowling attacks would be able to defend such a total.

With or without Amir, Pakistan would have defended that total on that day. Amir taking 3 wickets to defend 338 is like Kohli scoring an 80 not out while chasing a meagre total of 200 in a final. It is a great performance, but we cannot say that Amir was the reason Pakistan won. That win was entirely down to our batting.

Now if we look at some of Kohli's big performances in ICC tournaments, they are comfortably better then Amir's. His small cameo in the 2011 World Cup Final to prevent India from collapsing was more important than many half-centuries. Had India lost a third wicket at that point, it could very well have been curtains for them.

In the 2013 Champions Trophy Final, he played a crucial knock in difficult conditions to give India a competitive total to defend.

In the 2015 World Cup, he scored a hundred to set up a win for India against Pakistan.

In the 2014 WT20, he played a brilliant innings to win India the semifinal against South Africa. In the final, he single-handledly dragged India to a competitive total.

In the 2016 WT20, he single-handledly won India the match against Pakistan on a difficult pitch where all other batsmen failed. Against Australia, he played one of the ATG T20 knocks to single-handledly take India into the semifinals. In the semifinal against the WI, he was again the reason why India posted a big total.

In the 2017 Champions Trophy, his fantastic innings in the first game took the match away from Pakistan.

Overall, when you compare their performances in ICC tournaments, Kohli has been comfortably better because he has been more influential in terms of shaping the outcome of the match.

Yes Kohli failed in the World Cup 2015 Semifinal and the 2017 Champions Trophy Final while chasing massive totals, but you cannot compare that to Amir defending a huge total.

Let's see what Amir can do when he has to defend a score of 150 on a flat pitch in a final. I agree that Amir might do well in the World Cup next year. If Pakistan go on another dream on the back of 2-3 players, Amir might turn up in the final and run away with the plaudits after going missing throughout the tournament.

Being a free-rider and turning up when the match is already won or lost seems to be Amir's speciality these days, because he clearly does not seem to have the heart to carry his team on his back.

I agree with all your points except Kholi having an a great 2015 WC’. Beating PAK in the WC’ has become mundane for IND no matter how hard the media hypes it up every time. IND would have beaten PAK if they scored 200, let alone 300. That was the most buzdil PAK squad I have ever seen in my life. Not to mention full of TTF’s and some dodgy players (Jamshed) with 2 seniors on their last legs. The management made the brilliant choice of selecting Yasir Shah also. Kohli failed in the SF with a 0(11). And to criticize Amir for the 2010 SF loss is harsh. He took 3 wickets and had figures of 3-20 in 3 overs. Ajmal was given the final over when it should have been Amir.

 

[Mamoon]

I agree with all your points except Kholi having an a great 2015 WC’. Beating PAK in the WC’ has become mundane for IND no matter how hard the media hypes it up every time. IND would have beaten PAK if they scored 200, let alone 300. That was the most buzdil PAK squad I have ever seen in my life. Not to mention full of TTF’s and some dodgy players (Jamshed) with 2 seniors on their last legs. The management made the brilliant choice of selecting Yasir Shah also. Kohli failed in the SF with a 0(11). And to criticize Amir for the 2010 SF loss is harsh. He took 3 wickets and had figures of 3-20 in 3 overs. Ajmal was given the final over when it should have been Amir.

Yes that is true, but in the context of the game itself, he set up the win with his hundred. That was a very poor Pakistan side and India did not need Kohli to show up.

 

[babajee]

Someone just needs to slap some sense into Amir. Clearly... working with Azhar hasn’t had the same positive effects for Amir as it has had with the likes of Hasan, Faheem etc.

If he pitches it up he’s world class.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I don't think people will ever realise it wasn't worth the hassle and embarrassment of bringing him back.

It's pretty disappointing that honest men like Azhar Ali were slated for a mediocre fixer to return.

 

[Mamoon]

I agree with all your points except Kholi having an a great 2015 WC’. Beating PAK in the WC’ has become mundane for IND no matter how hard the media hypes it up every time. IND would have beaten PAK if they scored 200, let alone 300. That was the most buzdil PAK squad I have ever seen in my life. Not to mention full of TTF’s and some dodgy players (Jamshed) with 2 seniors on their last legs. The management made the brilliant choice of selecting Yasir Shah also. Kohli failed in the SF with a 0(11). And to criticize Amir for the 2010 SF loss is harsh. He took 3 wickets and had figures of 3-20 in 3 overs. Ajmal was given the final over when it should have been Amir.

Kohli did fail in the semifinal, but juxtaposing his performance with Amir's in the Champions Trophy 2017 Final to prove that Amir is more clutch is illogical. That match was pretty much lost by the Indian bowlers, just like the final was pretty much won by our batsmen.

Being tasked with chasing 330 against Australia in Australia is not the same as defending a total of 340.

Secondly, you have confused those figures with some other game. Amir went for around 37 runs in his 4 overs in the semifinal of the WT20, and Australia need 34 in the last 2 overs, and Amir conceded 16 runs in the penultimate over. Clearly, he had as big a role in the defeat as Ajmal.

 

[ManFan]

Kohli did fail in the semifinal, but juxtaposing his performance with Amir's in the Champions Trophy 2017 Final to prove that Amir is more clutch is illogical. That match was pretty much lost by the Indian bowlers, just like the final was pretty much won by our batsmen.

Being tasked with chasing 330 against Australia in Australia is not the same as defending a total of 340.

Secondly, you have confused those figures with some other game. Amir went for around 37 runs in his 4 overs in the semifinal of the WT20, and Australia need 34 in the last 2 overs, and Amir conceded 16 runs in the penultimate over. Clearly, he had as big a role in the defeat as Ajmal.

I did not make a comparison between Kohli and Amir and who was more clutch. I just stated that Kohli failed when it mattered the most.
In the 2010 World T20 Cup SF between PAK and AUS, Amir has figures of 3-35 from 4 overs. My Cricinfo is not working but I can see that those are the final figures and the game where Hussey smacked Ajmal to win and obtain a 60*(24).

 

[MMHS]

For some reason, may be he is not enjoying life in KK team. KK’s coaching staffs are PAK national coaches, therefore it should have been easier for him; but surprisingly I see same bowling strategy for him at KK as well like PAK team. It’s just like a continuation which suggests to me that there might be communication gap in expectations & understandings.

I feel, he should leave KK next year. He is from Rawalpindi and IU easily has the best coaching combination - may be a swap between Sami & Amir can be good for both. Or, he may try to get into Multan team with Moody (hopefully next year as well) & Wasim in charge.

Honestly speaking, while I was listing PSL flop XII yesterday, I was not sure for long whom to take as 12th man between Amir & JK. May be Imad as Captain isn’t helping either, but guy himself declined KK Captaincy. If Misbah retires (hopefully) Amir as Captain of IU isn’t a bad idea, specially when next year they are planning more games in PAK.

 

[Savak]

He is at best the Zulfiqar Babar of fast bowling.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Aamir is always going to be Pakistan's go to bowler in clutch matches. May not be as effective as he was before. But he is still the best frontline bowler Pakistan has. Riaz for all his special ability to bowl fast doesn't have enough thinking behind his bowling. Aamir is a good thinking bowler.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Deserves all the criticism he's getting. Throw him out if he's not going to attack the stumps.

 

[giri26]

Mohammad Amir just performs when he feels like doing so. His fans praise him to no end but he has probably 2 notable performances since his return. Once in the CT finals and the other in the Asia cup game against India. That's about it. He has been non existent rest of the times and has been overtaken by host of Pakistan pacers with Hasan Ali at the top of the pile.

 

[Madplayer]

Bowling short pitch with the new ball

Bowling harmless bouncers with no life in them

Hardly any yorkers

Down on pace

Bowling away from batsmen to not get hit

completely defensive in approach

No heart in his bowling

Just going through motions.

This is Amir's bowling these days.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

He hasn't bowled as well as he could but that doesn't mean he should be dropped out of the national team later on. He is, at worst, a decent bowler, and at best, our best bowler. Hopefully he starts showing more consistency before the world cup next year.

 

[Pete Rose]

Playing for a better economy rate more often than not.

 

[shebimalik]

Deserves all the criticism he's getting. Throw him out if he's not going to attack the stumps.

Azhar also deserve some criticism. Sare pp ko pta k hai k amir ki problem kia hai lekin azhar ko q pta ni chal rha.

 

[dauntless]

He has been defensive with line and lengths. Now the time has come to show him the door.Poor defensive bowling is not the way forward for him.

 

[Ellipsism]

Azhar also deserve some criticism. Sare pp ko pta k hai k amir ki problem kia hai lekin azhar ko q pta ni chal rha.

You don’t think Azhar has told Amir to pitch it up? He’s a heartless chicken, who should be given the boot ASAP.

 

[shebimalik]

You don’t think Azhar has told Amir to pitch it up? He’s a heartless chicken, who should be given the boot ASAP.

If he is not bowling according to coach plan then he should be dropped

 

[shariqnoor]

Amir's problem is that he has not learned from his mistakes in the past 2.5 years. Ever since his comeback to the team, Amir has consistently bowled back of a length within the stumps to control his economy rate. This works well with bowlers who are stock bowlers. Amir needs to understand and think of himself as a strike bowler. There is a vast difference between the bowling lengths of a stock bowler and a strike bowler. Amir currently is like a wolf in sheep's clothing but the difference being that he is also acting like a sheep.

To me there are 2 things Amir needs to do to become that strike bowler Pakistan desperately requires:

1) Lose that inhibition of going for runs. He needs to believe that 3/60 in 10 overs is much much better than being 0/45 in 10 overs.

2) Pitch the ball up to allow it to swing.

The two are inherently related as I believe that he is not pitching the ball up because he's afraid of going for runs. He has to look at the two quality spells that he bowled against India and see what worked there and it would be crystal clear that almost all of his wickets in the Asia Cup and the CT final were to balls that were pitched up. He just needs to replicate that bowling style.

Also, apart from Amir, a lot of effort needs to be put in by Mickey and Azhar. They have to realize that they cannot allow Amir to operate as a line and length stock bowler. They have to give Amir the motivation and all the freedom in the world to go for wickets without thinking about the runs.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

It might sound ridiculous based on the fast bowling culture we have compared to India, but the best example I can see for Amir is Zaheer Khan. Both came as young sensations who could swing the ball at will and deliver yorkers and both absolutely lost it for a few years. Both we compared to Akram at a young age, while neither is fit to tie his laces.

However, Zaheer matured into a really intelligent fast bowler who was vying for the 2nd best pacer in the world after Steyn (who was streets ahead) in the late noughties. And he got there by making some sensible changes to his action, his modus operandi, and most importantly his mentality. He went from being either over-attacking and thus spraying it around, or over-defensive and bowling back of the length hit me deliveries, to actually out-thinking the batsman. Maybe Amir can learn from that.

He's not going to be that Wasim/Waqar style bowler that we so desperately want him to be; though he will turn it on in a few big games where he matches, and even seems to surpass them. But if he can understand his limitations and atleast be a Zaheer I'd be happy right now. Our fast bowling stocks are worryingly thin.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Azhar also deserve some criticism. Sare pp ko pta k hai k amir ki problem kia hai lekin azhar ko q pta ni chal rha.

Azhar has told him to attack. He's just a pansy. When he did listen to Azhar in the final and finally started attacking, he looked as dangerous as any bowler in the world. His pace didn't jump to 150ks nor was there any swing on offer. The conditions were as flat as they can be. The only difference was intent. He wanted to take wickets and he attacked the stumps and made the batsmen play. What did come into play was his supreme control which he keeps wasting by bowling back of a length. Dude, you've got such a repeatable action and can place the ball anywhere you want, so attack the damn stumps. These LOI hacks would be exposed sooner or later because they'd be cramped up for room and wouldn't be able to deal with his accuracy.

 

[Lonewarrior]

Amir needs someone to attack from other end. he just cant contained always. we dont need to be too much dependent on Amir for every game. its not good for his carreer.
the Two Ws mostly hunts in pairs,
and amir was a better bowler when Asif holds the other end.

 

[Syed1]

Amir needs someone to attack from other end. he just cant contained always. we dont need to be too much dependent on Amir for every game. its not good for his carreer.
the Two Ws mostly hunts in pairs,
and amir was a better bowler when Asif holds the other end.

Bhai Amir had Shinwari in this tournament who has been one of the bowlers of the tournament for me. He has bowled with pace and aggression and has picked up lots of wickets.


If Amir cannot perform when he has a partner like Shinwari then when will he perform? Maybe Amir needs Junaid by his side only then he does well.

 

[Lonewarrior]

Bhai Amir had Shinwari in this tournament who has been one of the bowlers of the tournament for me. He has bowled with pace and aggression and has picked up lots of wickets.


If Amir cannot perform when he has a partner like Shinwari then when will he perform? Maybe Amir needs Junaid by his side only then he does well.

well, i am talking about International tournament/tours, not PSL.
shinwari is a decent bowler for PSL. but i dont think shinwari is the international material.
and you are right, on international or even in PSL , amir needs Junaid or someone like shaheen shah afridi on the other end.

 

[carbon11]

Well watching this tournament so far the shinwari guy looks better

But both were torn apart by ronchi

I don't rate Amir anymore he's a shadow of the bowler that we all saw 8 yrs ago ,
He's a massive disappointment since his comeback

 

[Hasan123]

Needs to be more attacking and show more intent. His body language at times is very disappointing.