Mohammad Amir Advocates for Competitive Spirit in Cricket

LAHORE: Mohammad Amir, the former Pakistani fast bowler currently playing for Quetta Gladiators, has asserted that cricket demands a fierce, competitive environment where friendships and seniority take a backseat.

In a recent interview, Amir underscored the significance of mental toughness in cricket, referencing eras known for their intense rivalries.

“If a batter scores a boundary against my bowling on the first delivery, I won’t congratulate them. Instead, I would try to distract them,” Amir stated.

“Cricket was more combative in previous years. Just ask Sir Vivian Richards. It felt like players might physically attack each other on the field. This aggressive approach was part of the game’s allure; unsettling the batter mentally was essential to disrupt their focus.”

However, the left-arm bowler clarified that this on-field intensity doesn’t lead to personal conflicts off the field.

“Provoking someone during a match doesn’t equate to disrespect. After the game, we interact like friends, sharing jokes and conversations,” he explained.

Amir highlighted the necessity of regulated aggression, noting, “If my language crosses the line, the umpires will penalize me, and the match referee will impose a fine. The absence of penalties indicates that my aggression remains within acceptable limits.”

The discussion shifted to Amir’s personal experiences, as he mentioned the sacrifices he undertook for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup participation, only to be later excluded.

“I forfeited my county contract to participate in the World Cup. My expenses during the World Cup exceeded my earnings. I personally covered the costs of my trainer’s travel and other related expenses. But that’s a different story,” he added.

According to Amir, the lack of communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the tournament was particularly disheartening.

“After the T20 World Cup, there was no communication from anyone; no one shared any plans with me. If I’m not part of the strategy, I need to consider my own future. I’ve now made my decision—I appreciate my time in international cricket,” he declared.

Amir, often considered a rival to Babar Azam, lauded Pakistan’s leading batter while also pointing out areas for improvement.

“Without a doubt, Babar Azam is Pakistan’s finest cricketer. However, he is currently in a slump, which has persisted for some time. Every athlete experiences fluctuations in form, and Babar will undoubtedly rebound and score significant runs once he overcomes this phase,” he commented.

He further observed, “I’ve noticed that Babar is making contact with the ball slightly late, which is impacting his shot selection.”

The 33-year-old also commented on the unpredictable nature of T20 leagues, noting that consistency is uncommon in this format.

“Evaluating a team or player based on just a few T20 league games is not appropriate. Typically, in a ten-match league, a team performs exceptionally in three to four games, averagely in two to three, and poorly in two to three—that’s inherent to T20 cricket,” he explained.

He commented that the Quetta Gladiators squad is well-rounded, with strengths in every area. The addition of Mark Chapman will provide more stability to the middle order.

“The batting has been a slight concern, with early wickets falling during the powerplay. However, the bowling unit has performed exceptionally, and there’s room for even better performances.”

The Quetta Gladiators have relocated their camp to Lahore. He expressed his admiration for the Lahore crowd, noting their enthusiasm and the lively atmosphere they create.

“The conditions in Lahore should be advantageous for the team. If the pitches are conducive to batting, our lineup has the capability to achieve high scores,” he said.

Moreover, Usman Tariq is projected to pass his bowling fitness assessment this week, which will further strengthen the team.