Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir delivered sharp remarks regarding Abhishek Sharma’s performance at the crease.
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has intensified the hype ahead of Sunday’s India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash by taking a dig at India’s opener Abhishek Sharma. Criticizing Sharma’s batting style, Amir described him as “just a slogger,” suggesting that his approach largely revolves around swinging the bat. Sharma had a disappointing start to the tournament, registering a first-ball duck in India’s opener against the USA. He missed the subsequent match against Namibia in Delhi due to illness and has yet to fully recover. With the team set to travel to Sri Lanka in two days, Abhishek’s participation in the marquee Sunday encounter remains uncertain.
Adding more drama to the highly anticipated clash—which has already grabbed attention due to the recent tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC)—Mohammad Amir targeted Abhishek Sharma, questioning his technique, style, and overall approach, while also casting doubt on the opener’s batting credentials.
“From what I’ve observed, honestly, I see him more as a slogger. He tries to hit every ball hard. When he gets in, he can score well, but otherwise, the chances of failure are high,” Mohammad Amir said on the show Harana Mana Hai.
“He scores occasionally, but most innings end with 10, 15, 0, or 20. Technically, I don’t think he’s very sound. He tends to wait for the ball in a specific area. My opinion is honest: when he gets going, he can hurt the opposition, but his style is high-risk. I’ll consider him a proper batter only when I see him handle even slight swing well and hit with consistent power,” Amir added.
Abhishek Sharma has faced Pakistan in two T20Is during last year’s Asia Cup, registering scores of 31 in the league stage and 74 in the Super Fours, helping India secure comfortable victories in both matches. In the final, however, he was dismissed cheaply for five, though India still emerged victorious. Supporting Mohammad Amir’s observations, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif concurred with Amir’s assessment but also acknowledged Abhishek’s talent and potential, giving him due credit for his performances.
Rashid Latif Responds to Amir’s Comments on Abhishek Sharma
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif weighed in on Mohammad Amir’s critique of Abhishek Sharma, saying, “We haven’t seen him play much First-Class cricket or ODIs—mostly T20Is. His technique shows that the upper portion doesn’t come forward; he gives himself room. Amir calls him a slogger because he expects every ball to swing. If he tries to defend, he might struggle. His success comes from focusing on what he has practiced.”
Despite the criticisms, Abhishek has quickly emerged as one of India’s brightest T20I talents and a regular opener in the Playing XI. In 39 matches, he has scored 1,297 runs, including two centuries and eight fifties, with a career-best 135 against England at Wankhede Stadium last year.
Currently recovering from illness and having lost a few kilos, Abhishek’s fitness for Sunday’s India-Pakistan clash remains uncertain. India captain Suryakumar Yadav is yet to confirm his match readiness, but recent clips shared by Arshdeep Singh show the left-handed opener looking much improved, and his travel with the team raises hopes for his participation.
From : [Dial24News.com] – Bringing you the latest updates with verified insights and professional reporting from our newsroom By Sahil Rauniyar.
