Rashid Latif: “If he wants to take wickets, he needs to bowl fuller”

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Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has revealed that left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir needs to bowl fuller lengths in order to start taking wickets again.

Latif’s advice comes after Amir was left out of Pakistan’s World Cup squad.

Amir’s form in ODIs has been dismal since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in June 2017 as he has taken five wickets in 14 matches at an average of 92.60.

However, Pakistan are allowed to make changes to their team without seeking permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC) until May 23.

With that in mind, Amir will be looking to excel in the upcoming limited overs series against England, which will consist of a one-off Twenty20 International and five ODIs, and run from May 5 to 19.

“Amir’s economy rate is better than others because he is not taking the chance himself,” Latif was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “He bowls at a similar [line and length] in all formats of the game, and that is why the batsmen don’t take chances against him as it is a good place to bowl but it is not a wicket-taking one.

“Amir is playing for the economy rate. If he wants to take wickets, he needs to bowl fuller. Someone should tell him that he needs to bowl fuller in the first three overs of the game to get wickets.

“My advice to Amir would be to release the ball a bit fuller. The more he bowls fuller, the greater the chance [he has] to swing it.”

Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31.

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