Srinagar: Former Pakistan batter Fawad Alam has termed former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir as the best and the smartest bowlers that Pakistan had for long time.
Speaking on a private TV show after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 clash between the Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi, Fawad was asked if Amir is better than Pakistan’s current crop of fast bowlers. He didn’t hesitate to put Amir in a different league.
“As far as Amir’s ability is concerned, there’s no comparison. He is one of the best and the smartest bowlers we have had [in a long time],” Fawad said.
“After Mohammad Asif — I mean after the early 2000s when we had big names — the two premier pacers we had were Asif and then Mohammad Amir,” he explained.
According to Fawad Alam, while many bowlers have skill, Amir’s intelligence sets him apart.
“I believe after Amir, we did not get many smarter bowlers. Skill is something every player who represents Pakistan has. But intelligence — that’s rare,” he said.
“Mohammad Amir knew exactly how to get Babar Azam out, and you can clearly see the pressure Babar feels when facing him,” he remarked.
“When a batter knows he’s up against a smart bowler, he’s aware that the bowler understands his weaknesses. And Amir makes full use of a batter’s shortcomings,” Fawad Alam added.
He concluded by reiterating his admiration for Amir’s bowling smarts. “The more you talk about Amir’s skill and intelligence, the less it feels like enough,” he said.