Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood has leapt in defence of under-pressure Mohammad Amir who once again failed to leave his mark in the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka in Dubai. Amir has been a near-constant presence in the Pakistan eleven since his return to international cricket at the start of 2016 but has still not managed to make an impression on a consistent basis.
Even during the Champions Trophy, he failed to impress before making amends with a decisive three-wicket haul in the final. The inconsistency, nonetheless, has continued in the ongoing series. He went wicketless in the first Test, and although he dismissed debutant Sadeera Samarawickrama on day one of the ongoing second Test, he did not cause much trouble for the Islanders.
However, Mahmood defended the left-arm pacer by reasoning that playing all the three formats is the reason behind the bowler’s struggle in the longest format of the game.
“He is a very talented guy and he is a wicket-taking bowler. Unfortunately when you play all three formats and too much one-day cricket, your length is shorter than fuller,” Azhar said after the first day’s play.
“You see guys who only play Test cricket like Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott, they bowl fuller. But those who play all three versions have shorter lengths. Amir played county cricket so I wanted him to bowl fuller and when he does that he is more threatening. I think he bowled short but with the new ball he bowled superbly. Once he bowls fuller then it swings,” he added.
The pink ball assists the fast-bowlers, but the weather conditions of Dubai has negated that effect. However, the story changes under the floodlights.
“The pink ball does a bit under light. The new ball does a bit, it swings but in the day time it is a tough period for the bowler. This pink ball doesn’t reverse swing because there are two or three coats so that the pink colour stays on,” Azhar explained.
Azhar further pinned his hope on leg-spinner Yasir Shah who was the most successful bowler on day one, taking two wickets as the visitors finished the day on 254 for 3.
“We know that in these conditions that he is our workhorse and he has to bowl many overs. He only plays Tests so we know that he has a big rest after this. He likes to bowl and in the past, he used to bowl 30-35 overs. Here he had to bowl very many overs,” the former Pakistan allrounder said.