ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has described Mohammad Amir as the most intelligent fast bowler the country has ever produced, highlighting Amir’s game sense, tactical awareness, and preparation as unmatched in Pakistan’s cricketing history. Speaking on a social media platform, the former “Rawalpindi Express” also took aim at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing it of failing to manage and support talented players.
Recalling a memorable performance by Amir against Australia, particularly during a spell against opening batsman David Warner, Akhtar said, “I was getting hammered by Warner, but when Amir came on, Warner had no clue whether to go forward or back. He couldn’t read Amir’s swing or pace. That kind of control and deception is rare.”
Shoaib emphasized that Amir’s greatest strength wasn’t raw pace, but his sharp cricketing brain. “Amir is the best fast bowler we have ever had when it comes to using his brain,” he said. “He understands field placements, match situations, and adjusts his approach accordingly. He knows exactly what line and length to bowl, and how to set up the field to complement it.”
Akhtar also praised Amir’s unique match preparation routine, which involves bowling three to four overs before each game—not just as warm-up, but as a personal diagnostic session to fine-tune his bowling. “He doesn’t just follow the standard team routine. He analyses himself and prepares with complete focus,” Shoaib explained.
Despite Amir’s natural talent and mental sharpness, Akhtar expressed frustration over how such players have been handled by cricket authorities in Pakistan. “Amir is an asset, and the system failed to support him,” he said. “The players are not bad — the management is. If you cannot understand the pain and needs of your players, you have no right to be in management.”
Akhtar’s remarks were echoed by fellow former pacer Sohail Tanvir, who also criticized the PCB’s handling of senior players. “Players have always complained that they were neither given proper opportunities to say goodbye, nor treated with dignity,” Tanvir noted. “This is an area where urgent reform is needed.”
Mohammad Amir, who officially retired from international cricket in December 2024, concluded a career that spanned 36 Test matches, 61 One-Day Internationals, and 62 Twenty20 Internationals. He is currently featuring in the ongoing 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as a key bowler for the Quetta Gladiators, having taken six wickets in four matches so far.
Though retired from the international scene, Amir’s performances continue to impress, and calls for his comeback still echo among fans and analysts. With praise from legends like Shoaib Akhtar, his legacy as one of Pakistan’s most intelligent and skilled pacers seems firmly cemented.
