Aaqib Javed: “Mohammad Amir is a strike bowler, but he cannot take a wicket in the first 25 overs. He takes wickets when the batsmen are looking for runs”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Ex-Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed has been unimpressed with left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir, even though he has been in red-hot form in the World Cup.

Amir is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 13 victims in four games at an average of 13.07. It should be noted that Pakistan have actually played five matches, but since their clash against Sri Lanka was washed out without a ball being bowled, it is not included in the statistics.

Amir has turned his ODI career around as between the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in 2017 and prior to the World Cup, he had taken five wickets in 15 ODIs at an average of 92.60.

However, Javed pointed out that most of Amir’s wickets have come in the latter parts of matches.

He added that a new ball bowler like Amir should be looking to take wickets in the first 10 overs of a match.

“Mohammad Amir is a strike bowler, but he cannot take a wicket in the first 25 overs. He takes wickets when the batsmen are looking for runs,” Javed told the Mumbai Mirror. “When you elect to bowl, you need at least two wickets in the first 10 overs.”

Pakistan’s next World Cup match will be against South Africa at Lord’s on Sunday.

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