‘We might become an Associate team’: Amir rings alarm bells for Pakistan after Mirpur drubbing

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir blasted Pakistan after their heavy defeat to Bangladesh in the first of three ODIs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur yesterday, even expressing concern over the future of the Pakistan cricket team.

“We are now starting to lose to Bangladesh. I’m worried we might even become an associate-level team,” Amir said on Facebook after the match.

Amir praised Bangladesh’s bowlers but was critical of Pakistan’s young players and the team’s overall balance.

“Pakistan managed only 114 runs. Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled really well,” said the pacer.

Pakistan had dropped Babar Azam from the squad for the series, which, according to Amir, was the wrong call as he called for a better balance between senior and younger players.

“You can’t just drop senior players and play only youngsters. There needs to be guidance and experience in the team,” he said.

The former left-arm pacer also criticised the technique of Pakistan’s young batters, pointing out that many of them struggle to handle deliveries outside the off-stump.

“It’s common now for young players to only play towards mid-wicket. When the ball is on the off-stump, they don’t know how to deal with it,” Amir said.

Referring to one of the dismissals in the match, he said: “Shamyl [Hussain] was caught while trying to play a mid-wicket shot. Young players need to understand that runs can also be scored on the off side or over mid-off.”

Amir also pointed to the contrast between the two teams on the same pitch.

“Our bowling was disappointing. On the same wicket where we struggled, Bangladesh chased the target very quickly,” he said.