Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir believes that current Pakistan skipper Babar Azam isn’t threatening enough in T20 cricket. Talking about the latter’s strike rate in the shortest format, he strikes at 128.40 in T20Is and 128.68 in domestic T20s. This has been the major reason for the experts questioning his place in Pakistan’s T20I side. Meanwhile, Amir’s statement has created a furore on Twitter.
“I have always said that he is a great batter in Tests and ODIs. In T20s, I have a different opinion related to him. As a bowler, I don’t see Babar as threatening in the T20 format. Now if someone gives the wrong angle to this statement then I can only pray for his guidance,” said Amir to Tabish Hashmi during a show on Geo News.
This is how Twitter reacted
Lagta hai jald hi aukaat bhool gya pic.twitter.com/PGg6QkZlr7
— Umar (@umer_afzal56) May 29, 2023
I think he’s conveniently forgotten about this:pic.twitter.com/oVxGarC2L5
— The Cricketing Doc & Cat Hurayr™? (@DrSarmyBarmy) May 29, 2023
He’s right. Babar is just an ordinary batter (in T20) who like to score HIS runs at ODi pace, play conventional old school cricket thats not at all threatening.
— Oxxmn (@imusmaNahmED) May 29, 2023
I don’t know why people are hating Amir? It’s his opinion and I somewhat agree with him too.
— 837? (@7777Goatnaldo) May 29, 2023
Its easy to be a t20 batter where u need to score 1 inning in 5 matches with better strike rate to ba consistent batter across formats and across different conditions. For that you needs to be committed talented hardworking. Babar is too good for pakistan
— aamir ansari (@aamiransari12) May 29, 2023
Kehne do man, let him give his opinion ab hum uska mind thori na change krsakte hai.
— Fawaz ?? (@fawazyyyx) May 29, 2023
Amir is better T20 player than zimbu
— NIHAR (@NIHAR17284962) May 29, 2023
Fixer speaking facts but why Pakistani shows giving him platform? He is a fixer do deported him.
— Mr.Professor ? (@iMrProfessor) May 29, 2023
Abu ka zikr kiye bgher nahi reh sakta.
— AhMed SaEed LoSar (@LosarHeRe) May 29, 2023
He's the no. 3 T20 better in the world. His views dont matter
— Shahmeer Baloch (@iamshahmeeer) May 29, 2023
Overhyped in t20 and test cricket too…avg performance In odi considering he usually play against depleted side on pak highway
— Himanshu (@Himansh25955820) May 29, 2023
I never called Babar Azam a tailender: Mohammad Amir
During the same interview, the two-time World Championship winner for Pakistan also clarified the rumor of him calling Azam a tailender.
“Show me one interview in which I said that Babar is an average player or a tailender. In all my interviews, I have called him the best batsman of Pakistan, which I am saying with my own mouth, and have said in many places, that it is difficult to bowl against him in ODI and Test matches due to his technique. So, would I call him a tailender? Let me make it clear to these people,” said Amir.
“My point was that whether it’s Babar or a number 11 playing, taking wickets is important for me because it benefits the team. For example, if 12 runs are needed in the last 2 overs and 8 wickets are down, then tailenders are the ones playing, right? So, they are also equally important to dismiss. That was my point. For me, every wicket is important whether it is Babar’s or a tailender’s,” he added later.
