Mohammad Amir has praised Indian skipper Virat Kohli for consistent batting performances across all formats. The Pakistan pacer praised the skipper for being one of the greatest batsmen India has seen.
He shares an intense rivalry with the Indian skipper on the cricket pitch and reportedly said that he has massive respect for the charismatic leader of India not only as a cricketer but also as a person.
Mohammad Amir: Virat Kohli’s Performance Speaks For Itself
The Pakistani pacer had shattered India’s hopes of lifting the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy with his devastating pace bowling spell against the Virat Kohli-led side in the final. Even skipper Virat Kohli had also acknowledged the pacer’s bowling exploits at the time. Mohammad Amir bowled one of the most crucial spells of his life — 6-2-16-3. Pakistan bowled out the defending champions for 158, winning by 180 runs after posting 338 on board.
“Virat Kohli is a great player, one of the best, and his performance speaks for itself. Apart from his game, I also have huge respect for him as a person. It is always very fulfilling to hear good words from another great cricketer and a good human being,” Amir told ANI.
Virat Kohli who is India’s most successful skipper in tests excels as a batsman too averaging over 50 in each format. He has 70 international centuries-the third most after Ricky Ponting’s 71 and Sachin Tendulkar’s 100. Virat Kohli is No. 1 batsman in ODI cricket where he averages a staggering 59.31-the second-best after Ryan Ten Doeschate. In T20Is, he is second in averages after Pakistan’s Babar Azam who is ahead by a whisker.
Mohammad Amir: Utilized Induced Covid-19 Lockdown Break To Work On Fitness And Game For Shorter Formats
Mohammad Amir debuted in first-class in November 2008. He played his first One-Day International and Test in July 2009 in Sri Lanka at the ripe age of 17. On 29 August 2010, he was arrested for spot-fixing and was given a five-year ban for bowling two deliberate no-balls. On 15 January 2016, he made his return to international cricket in a T20I match against New Zealand.
Speaking to a news agency, Mohammad Amir spoke for a long time about working on his white-ball skills during the unprecedented lockdown phase in the aftermath of Covid-19. He also praised the Indian skipper, for never staying away from praising and speaking highly of the Pakistani speed merchant.
Mohammad Amir feels good when a premier batsman like Virat Kohli appreciates whatever the Pakistani pace ace has accomplished on the cricket strip. After not being included in 34 member squad for an away tour, he is bowling with the Galle Gladiators in the inaugural season of the Lanka Premier League. Pakistan team led by Babar Azam meanwhile is touring New Zealand. The out-of-favour Pakistan pacer also opened up about playing Tests.
“I haven’t thought about playing red-ball cricket again very soon, and I utilized the break to work on my fitness and on my overall game for the shorter formats,” the 28-year-old said.
A few of the more experienced players such as Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik and Asad Shafiq have been left out of the Babar Azam-led unit for New Zealand tour as five uncapped players are included in Pakistan’s extended squad.
On 26 July 2019, he announced his retirement from Test cricket in order to focus on limited-overs cricket. In 36 Test matches, he has picked 119 wickets averaging 30.4, but his last Test came in January 2019 against and in South Africa. In ODIs, his average is 29.63 with 81 wickets in 61 appearances. In 50 T20Is, he has 59 wickets averaging 21.41.