"Mohammad Amir would have been my first choice for the World Cup" : Wasim Akram

[Abdullah719]

Karachi - Legendary paceman Wasim Akram cautioned against discounting Mohammad Amir ahead of next month's Cricket World Cup, saying Pakistan's pace spearhead would return to form following a disappointing string of performances at the crease.

The 27-year-old Amir was left off Pakistan's preliminary World Cup squad but has a chance to force his way back into the final 15 if he does well in the five-match one-day international series against England starting from May 8.

All teams have until May 23 to change their World Cup squads.

Missing the upcoming World Cup would likely serve as another crippling setback for the young bowler's career after he missed the tournament in both 2011 and 2015 due to an embarrassing five-year ban over match fixing.

Since returning to competition, Amir has fallen into a rut after guiding Pakistan in a dramatic win over India in the Champions trophy final in June 2017 - with just four wickets in 14 matches.

However, Wasim said he still believed Amir could stage a comeback.

"We can't discount Amir from the World Cup," Wasim told AFP.

"Amir would have been my first choice for the World Cup considering English conditions where he performs well."

Wasim went on to say that Amir had both youth and the experience of competing at the highest levels of the sport on his side, including international Tests and English county cricket.

"I am confident that he will do well once his rhythm is back," said Wasim, a veteran of five World Cups in 1987, 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003.

Pakistan's preliminary World Cup squad is largely comprised of young players, with only a handful of veterans - Sarfraz and Haris Sohail, who played in 2015, as well as Shoaib Malik, who played in 2007, and Mohammad Hafeez, who took part in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments.

Wasim added that big events are won with a mixture of youth and experience.

"I am all for youth but experience has no substitute, so we should mix youth with experience," said Wasim who guided Amir during the Pakistan Super League earlier this year.

"He is a good learner so I hope things will come good for him sooner than later because Pakistan team needs him."

Pakistan is set to play three one-day matches against county teams before taking on England in the five-match ODI series from May 5.

The squad will then kick off two warm-up World Cup games against Afghanistan on May 24 and Bangladesh on May 26, before taking on the West Indies in their first World Cup match in Nottingham on May 31.

All 10 teams will play each other in the first stage, with the top four playing the semi-finals.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/pa...-amir-20190429

[Muhammad Saad]

Yea we should have him in the squad atleast and if he perform than no harm in giving him the big games.

[Pakhs]

The only reason I will have him in the WC squad is for some reason he does perform extremely well in England. His performances before CT were getting ordinary too but still performed in England where the ball moves for him.

[Hawkeye]

Easily our best bowler.

Wasim knows, so do others, but I guess the intention is to push him a bit more in the ENG series before a selection for the World Cup squad.

It will be foolish to go without Amir, and Pak certainly isn't going anywhere in the tournament without their best bowler Amir.

Champion of big ICC events.

[NauV]

This is my problem . . generalization from one of the greatest bowlers of all time!
Rather than saying he will come back in rhythm and perform, Wasim Akram should be talking about what has gone so horribly wrong . .
His rhythm has been back for a total of 5 matches since his return 3 years ago . .

Things don't just fix itself! Provide a diagnosis and then a cure!

I have many issues with Shoaib Akhtar, but at least the other day he said on TV that Amir won't be successful at the speeds he is bowling today! he needs to get above 140 kph on average . .

Running in and doing the same things over and over won't fix the problem! Amir clearly has issues that have become worse and worse through the last 3 years . .

[Pakhs]

This is my problem . . generalization from one of the greatest bowlers of all time!
Rather than saying he will come back in rhythm and perform, Wasim Akram should be talking about what has gone so horribly wrong . .
His rhythm has been back for a total of 5 matches since his return 3 years ago . .

Things don't just fix itself! Provide a diagnosis and then a cure!

I have many issues with Shoaib Akhtar, but at least the other day he said on TV that Amir won't be successful at the speeds he is bowling today! he needs to get above 140 kph on average . .

Running in and doing the same things over and over won't fix the problem! Amir clearly has issues that have become worse and worse through the last 3 years . .

in England he can get away the slower speed because the bowl moves for him. Rest of the world I agree with shoaib slower speed is his problem now a days.

[Gullycricket]

Amir may have been horrible over last 2 years but it defies logic that Faheem is playing ahead of him .Dont tell me Faheem is an allrounder.

[Arham_PakFan]

I'm grateful that he's not a selector!

[Kroll]

I doubt he's watched him in recent times otherwise I'm sure he'd have another assessment or not pipe up at all. Surprised he never mentioned he'd only need to lock and flick and the wrist to gain success.

[The_Odd_One]

The so called English conditions specialist has 9 wickets in 8 games at an average of 38.

[Kroll]

Amir can't buy a wicket on any surface at the moment, so this English conditions thing is total and utter garbage.

[hitthestump]

Amir may have been horrible over last 2 years but it defies logic that Faheem is playing ahead of him .Dont tell me Faheem is an allrounder.

Faheem is literally outbatting, outbowling and outfielding Amir at this point.

[OmaIR1]

I agree with Wasim Akram 100%.

Mohammed Amir can be a big match player in English conditions when the time is right. You have to look beyond the stats some times. This is the same reason Shahid Afridi usually found a place in the team despite a series of poor performances (although in the latter part of his career it really dipped).

Especially when you have a team that consists of green and one dimensional players you sometimes need that oddity. Vikrant Gupta the Indian cricketing news executive also said that the presence or lack of in this case is a mental relief for opposing team.

[Chokli]

Deserves to go ahead of Junaid for sure

[Chokli]

Faheem is literally outbatting, outbowling and outfielding Amir at this point.

Faheem isn't outbatting anyone.

But if he can start working on his batting he'll balance out the side a lot.

[Abdullah719]

Baby steps towards making his case strong for inclusion in World Cup squad. Keep going strong @iamamirofficial .
Decent performance with good line & length against Northamptonshire.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) April 29, 2019

[topspin]

No better way to summarise the wisdom of Wasim's words here, so I'll quote an idiom of hip hop culture: "real recognises real".

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Amir may not be 10%of the bowler he was 7 years ago, but he certainly is better than Junaid and Shinwari right now. Even though his wicket column remained empty over the last couple of years but unlike others, he is a guy who won't go for 70 or 80 runs in his 10 overs.

[Markhor]

IMO the selectors have made an astute move which they don't always do.

By leaving Amir out of the provisional 15 but keeping him in the 17 for England, you are giving a kick up Amir's backside whilst still dangling the carrot of a World Cup place should he perform in the England series.

If Amir doesn't perform vs England, well he isn't in the 15 anyway.

[cricketAXEpert]

Baby steps towards making his case strong for inclusion in World Cup squad. Keep going strong @iamamirofficial .
Decent performance with good line & length against Northamptonshire.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) April 29, 2019

The Difference has began to show Junaid Khan gave twice the runs vs Mohd Amir . All 6 bowlers got 1 wicket each. If He cant get wickets he can contain which makes him good enough for selection.

[BunnyRabbit]

Don't agree with him. No silver spoon for the golden boy now.
Even in CT, he was abysmal till the final.

Wasim had also termed dropping Umar Akmal for CT squad for failing fitness test as childish.

That's how lethargy creeps into your game, if you keep giving chances to someone who's not willing to give his all for the team.

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Thats why your and Waqar's opinions dont matter.

Match dekhtay hain nahi laikin past k legends hain to jee huzoor jee huzoor kr k in ki batain suntay raho.

Amir has been one of our worst bowler since last 1.5 years and quite frequently wastes new ball and get cheap wickets at the end. No way he is the "first choice bowler" for the world cup.

[Snowflake]

Lol @ first choice

Fine to lend support to Amir, but dude... come on!

[Snowflake]

Thats why your and Waqar's opinions dont matter.

Match dekhtay hain nahi laikin past k legends hain to jee huzoor jee huzoor kr k in ki batain suntay raho.

Amir has been one of our worst bowler since last 1.5 years and quite frequently wastes new ball and get cheap wickets at the end. No way he is the "first choice bowler" for the world cup.

Not sure about Waqar, but I completely agree with your assessment for Wasim.

He's least interested or maybe just plain lazy when it comes to following Pakistan cricket and would come up with the generic statements that you would hear from any casual fan.

His knowledge of domestic players is embarrassing which tells how in touch he is with Pak cricket.

[Ilan Bluestone]

Look, he has failed, over and over again. He is not what he once was, and that is his own fault for cheating.

The averages of 50+ as a bowler for X amount of years should be proof enough. People still believe he has what he had when he was 17. He does not. 5 years away from your job and you will lose what you once had, no matter how much you train or practice, you cannot bring back that lost time, and you can lose a skill, maybe for good. Being in jail, not playing, it not only takes a toll physically but emotionally and mentally.

Of course, that is his own fault, but Mohammad Amir at 17 is not Mohammad Amir at 25. Simply look at the way he bowls, the production, everything. Speed isn't what it once was, the swing isn't what it once was. We need to just accept we may have had something, and we no longer do.

If Amir goes to Pakistan, puts his head down and puts in the work and finds who he once was, sure I am open for the chance, but as of now, he is a pretty mediocre pacer who does not have the stuff he once did, and not only that, was a bit overrated here due to pitches in England which supported his style of bowling.

Either way, we should move on for now, and accept that we lost it.

[khan_aa]

wasim akram had a pretty ordinary world cup in 1992 until the final game...

[gazza619]

Here we go again.

Amir must thank his lucky stars for averaging so poorly for a while with the ball and yet still being rated so highly.

[gazza619]

wasim akram had a pretty ordinary world cup in 1992 until the final game...

Yeah i think Aquib Javed had an overall bigger impact than Wasim. But we only seem to remember those massive in swingers from Wasim in the final.

[Ronaldo7]

wasim akram had a pretty ordinary world cup in 1992 until the final game...

The guy finished as the leading wicket taker and had the lowest bowling average. Don't think the final was the only reason. He bowled well before as well.

[Sunny_majoka]

Our legends opinions are even bad than some of our ppers.
They don't watch single match but
They always support worst player country.

[giri26]

Mohammad Amir has been really poor over the last couple of years but again everyone is hung over from his performance in that CT final and thinks that he will be able to replicate that again in an important match in the World Cup as well.

[Chokli]

Mohammad Amir has been really poor over the last couple of years but again everyone is hung over from his performance in that CT final and thinks that he will be able to replicate that again in an important match in the World Cup as well.

Even if he doesn't, he's a better pick than Junaid Khan

[ARK Rafay]

He may not be 1st choice. But he's only bowler we have who can bowl at the death.

If he's not selected for the WC I can see our bowling get demolished in the death overs from both ends.

And also I would like to say, Pakistan could've went with Haris Rauf for the WC instead of Husnain. Haris has fire in him and bowls excellent Yorkers and has arguably more pace than Husnain

[Hasan123]

Amir will surely be selected. Junaid doesn't look in good form.

[Savak]

Still living off his 2010 Eng series. Amir has rightfully been dropped on merit

[leatherface58]

The pitches are roads. He would have been smashed into oblivion. Ball stops swinging after like 4 overs.

[cricket_cfa]

Amir now lacks energy and blood pumping attitude
Amir needs to be aggressive, expressive and less machine like
His routine and food should be to have more energy and enthusiasm

[The Viper]

Amir now lacks energy and blood pumping attitude
Amir needs to be aggressive, expressive and less machine like
His routine and food should be to have more energy and enthusiasm

The England series will be a test for him.

Perform and he will be in the WC squad.

Lets see if he still has the hunger and energy.

He must pitch the ball up and not be so conservative

[Maliq_Mudasir]

wasim akram had a pretty ordinary world cup in 1992 until the final game...

Just like Amir had in CT2017 except final.

[silentkiller187]

if it wasn't for the spot fix ban he would probably have disappeared into the oblivion like many before him, who started promisingly . The ban added some years onto his career but i think he is done now i am afraid, hope he proves me wrong.

[hafeezrocks]

if it wasn't for the spot fix ban he would probably have disappeared into the oblivion like many before him, who started promisingly . The ban added some years onto his career but i think he is done now i am afraid, hope he proves me wrong.

This is accurate assessment. He is finally getting exposed in front of the World just like many others before him who started on a high note and were quickly found out after a few years.

Imagine PCB fighting all those legal battles to fasten his comeback into the team and then he turns out to be this ordinary bowler with zero legacy in Tests. Makes one wonder if it was all worth it in the end.

Now his die hard fans have come up with new excuses to justify the average bowler like how he has lost the hunger and will to perform after the ban as if he would have gone on to become the next Malcom Marshall and Wasim Akram combined.

[Green Patriot]

First choice?Seriously Wasim?

I mean had he said that Amir should have been given a chance or something that would have still been acceptable but first choice?Respected player aside he is just embarrassing himself by displaying a serious lack of knowledge in terms of Pakistan cricket.Has he not been watching our national team in the recent past.You cant just select players because of their past reputation when they have not been performing well for a good two years or so.

However it is good to know that he has not been entirely dropped as our fast bowling resources are not much to talk about anyways.However Amir did deserve this wakeup call.Lets see how he does in the English conditions everyone seems to think is his arena.If he performs and is still not selected that would be unfair and if he doesn't well than he doesn't deserve to be in the WC.

[hitthestump]

Wasim and Shoaib probably know what they're talking about to be fair, and thus i think we all know Amir will be part of the WC 15 eventually at the expense of either Junaid or Hasnain.

No harm whatsoever in putting him on trial though, and the suggestion that he needed to dropped to perform means that Amir was probably in need of a kick up the proverbial.

[Gharib Aadmi]

I would rather fly in PIA then see Amir back in the squad. Do these ex players even watch the games?

[Hawkeye]

Like I've been saying, he's still the best of the lot.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Well at least one bright spot, although will need wickets with something in them like this one.

[saeed5646]

Well at least one bright spot, although will need wickets with something in them like this one.

Yeah and it doesn't took long wahab raiz to shows his real class .Story of his career

[CricketDon]

Slap in the face to the arm chair experts thinking they now better than Akram

[OmaIR1]

Pakpassioners don't realize the importance of big match players Stats are not everything!

[hussain.r97]

Was fantastic today, if only he had 240 runs to play with. Wahab and Hasan were complete garage today.

[Syed1]

I hope those who opposed his selection are enjoying that tight slap on their faces.

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Yeah and it doesn't took long wahab raiz to shows his real class .Story of his career

He was unlucky tbh, he could have had a couple of wickets as well. Induced two sky'ers which should have produced wickets, and a nick through the slip region.

[jnaveen1980]

He should have always been your first choice. No question about that. He still has something in the tank. He uses it when it is really needed. He lacks pace. But he makes up for it with intelligent variations. His length variation was really good today. May not get bouncy wicket like this always. But he can be economical even on a docile pitch.

[Syed1]

He was unlucky tbh, he could have had a couple of wickets as well. Induced two sky'ers which should have produced wickets, and a nick through the slip region.

Yeah three quarter chances peppered in between the other dozens of balls smashed to the fence. Mashallah what a bowler.

[Gullycricket]

This is why they say stats are not everything

[saeed5646]

He was unlucky tbh, he could have had a couple of wickets as well. Induced two sky'ers which should have produced wickets, and a nick through the slip region.

Same old story brother !He is mentally very weak and once again disintegrated when charge was on .he will cost pakistan one crucial game

He have only 2 plan short bowl and yorker .his line and length is all over the place he cannot bowl 3 deliveries in same spot

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Yeah three quarter chances peppered in between the other dozens of balls smashed to the fence. Mashallah what a bowler.

Wickets win games, he was producing wicket taking deliveries, a couple of them were top edged for six. Look critically instead of just banging your agenda drum.

He was brought in because the wickets against England were flat as pancakes, this one turned out to be a seamers dream. Hindsight is always easy.

[MMHS]

He should have been the Captain of this side and Babar deputy - best two players in this squad.

[Syed1]

Wickets win games, he was producing wicket taking deliveries, a couple of them were top edged for six. Look critically instead of just banging your agenda drum.

He was brought in because the wickets against England were flat as pancakes, this one turned out to be a seamers dream. Hindsight is always easy.

Yeah what a bowler, definitely outbowled Amir and even the Windies. Man oh man what will we ever do without phast Wahab.

[Mean&Green]

Sarafraz giving press conference he looks done he wants to quit he’s litersllf saying he can’t take it no more

[Syed1]

Sarafraz giving press conference he looks done he wants to quit he’s litersllf saying he can’t take it no more

Should then quit and leave. Can't have a loser captain. Pathetic PCB never even appointed a VC.

[Mercurial]

A fluke performance by him today, will be back to his old inconsistent self I reckon especially when needed the most.

[jnaveen1980]

Should then quit and leave. Can't have a loser captain. Pathetic PCB never even appointed a VC.

Next in line will be Babar right? or Imam?

[Hawkeye]

A fluke performance by him today, will be back to his old inconsistent self I reckon especially when needed the most.

SO performing in every ICC tournament and making us win the tournaments is a fluke?

What a genius.

We have a cricket expert in this thread, folks.

[Ronaldo7]

SO performing in every ICC tournament and making us win the tournaments is a fluke?

What a genius.

We have a cricket expert in this thread, folks.

He bowled 140k+ consistenly in the CT. Just coz he's won us that doesn't mean we keep him in the team forever. The guy barely crossed 135 today.
Might as well bring wasim akram in as well coz he won us the 1992 wc

[Hawkeye]

He bowled 140k+ consistenly in the CT. Just coz he's won us that doesn't mean we keep him in the team forever. The guy barely crossed 135 today.
Might as well bring wasim akram in as well coz he won us the 1992 wc

Who was the best bowler today? Who took the most tickets?

Stop it.

[coy0607]

A very good performance by Amir today, and hopefully he keeps this up in the WC. Given the form of the Pakistani bowling attack, they really need him performing.

That being said, Amir still probably shouldn't have been selected in the WC. He has been terrible in the past 1-2 years as a bowler, and he isn't as big a superstar (like a Wasim or Waqar) to be selected regardless of form

[*sallu*]

Despite the 3 wicket performance, there weren't any encouraging signs. His release is still not coming out right, i.e. his customary bolt up right seam position which was absolutely fine till about a year ago. I noticed this from the SA tour onwards. It would have been challenging had he lost one of his swing and seam but having lost both virtually at the same time is a disaster. His only saving grace is he retains accuracy, but to be a potent LOI fast bowler you need more. He reminds of Irfan Pathan's bowling career.

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

Slap in the face to the arm chair experts thinking they now better than Akram

No. But the irony is that he did not include Mohd Amir in his playing eleven before the match in the show with zainab.

[DrSchultz]

Amir and Wahab both bowled well today.

Some agenda driven willfully blind posters will be unable to see it though.

[Ronaldo7]

Who was the best bowler today? Who took the most tickets?

Stop it.

Look at how he took the wickets.
WI just wanted to get to the target quickly they didn't care about wickets.
His bowling was toothless.

[zulfiqar]

wasim akram had a pretty ordinary world cup in 1992 until the final game...

Let us all have some of what you are smoking - we all need it right now. 18 wickets @18.77 across 10 games.

[zulfiqar]

As for Amir - encouraging signs! If Hassan Ali finds his mojo back we're in for a treat at this world cup! Our batting practically starts every single tournament this way! These guys will bounce back. We need a roaring bowling attack to take out the likes of Australia, NZ and SA (the only games I believe are winnable for us from the better teams). Even against SL, Bangladesh and AFG we will need to be firing on all cylinders - no team is horrible this cup!

[Snowflake]

Misbah criticizes Amir despite his 3-wicket haul

I did not see this coming! Misbah, in his post match analysis, came down hard on Amir and said that even though Amir got 3 wickets, the fact that we was bowling in the low 80s was disappointing. You are defending a measly target and are not putting in any effort. He did praise Hassan for giving his 100% even though he got tonked.

While I don't generally agree with Misbah, the fact that Amir was operating well below capacity (or maybe that's his capacity now?), just tells me that he had already given up on this game and decided there's no use in exhausting his energy. Either way, the attitude is quite pathetic!

[jnaveen1980]

Misbah criticizes Amir despite his 3-wicket haul

I did not see this coming! Misbah, in his post match analysis, came down hard on Amir and said that even though Amir got 3 wickets, the fact that we was bowling in the low 80s was disappointing. You are defending a measly target and are not putting in any effort. He did praise Hassan for giving his 100% even though he got tonked.

While I don't generally agree with Misbah, the fact that Amir was operating well below capacity (or maybe that's his capacity now?), just tells me that he had already given up on this game and decided there's no use in exhausting his energy. Either way, the attitude is quite pathetic!

Today pitch did the work for him along with his accuracy. I have not seen Amir extracting this much bounce anywhere. He even pointed out to Sarfraz that how the ball climbs up from a good length. Having said that his economical bowling will help others get wickets.

[emranabbas]

Look at how he took the wickets.
WI just wanted to get to the target quickly they didn't care about wickets.
His bowling was toothless.

Come on bro did you even watch the game?
He did most things right that's way he was taking wickets

There was another phasster bowler and he got smashed all over the park

[Ronaldo7]

Come on bro did you even watch the game?
He did most things right that's way he was taking wickets

There was another phasster bowler and he got smashed all over the park

We'll find out against eng.

[The Viper]

It was a good performance by Amir. He is useful in the team because he is tough to hit. His pace is concerning but he does have intelligence to make up for it.

[Haroon786]

I hope those who opposed his selection are enjoying that tight slap on their faces.

Exactly! Amir is the best bowler in this team and Pak fan, whether they're haters or fanatics, should get that into their brains!

[Mercurial]

SO performing in every ICC tournament and making us win the tournaments is a fluke?

What a genius.

We have a cricket expert in this thread, folks.

I am talking in relevance to his recent ODI bowling record, Mr. Hawkeye.