Misbah-ul-Haq: “Your premium first bowler comes on to bowl the first over and his average speed is 81mph, no swing, no zip”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was less than impressed with left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir’s performance against the West Indies, even though he took three wickets.

Amir was the lone bright spot for Pakistan in their World Cup opener as he finished with figures of 3-26 off six overs.

Amir’s wickets will definitely come as a relief for Pakistan as prior to the World Cup, he took five wickets in 15 ODIs at an average of 92.60 since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in 2017.

Despite the 27-year-old’s three-for, Pakistan were comprehensively beaten by seven wickets as they were skittled out for 105.

Misbah noted that he wasn’t impressed with Amir as the left-armer was bowling at an average speed of 81mph and was not swinging the ball at all.

“You could say there [was] one positive for Pakistan that Amir [was] among the wickets [as] he got three.  But I am [still] worried about his bowling form,” Misbah was quoted as saying by cricfrenzy.com.

“Because your team is bundled out [for] 105 runs, your premium first bowler comes on to bowl the first over and his average speed is 81mph, no swing, no zip. And suddenly the opposition feels comfortable.”

Pakistan’s next match will be against hosts England in Nottingham on Monday.

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