Hand me Mohammad Amir and he will be bowling over 150km/h again, claims Shoaib Akhtar
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has claimed that he can make Mohammad Amir bowl over 150km/h again if he is handed over to him. Pakistan pacer Amir had announced his retirement from international cricket claiming that he was mentally tortured by Pakistan's team management.
Mohammad Amir recently announced his retirement from international cricket to leave one and all stumped given he was only 28-year-old. PCB had also confirmed that the left-arm pacer indeed decided to call it quits and will no longer be available for selection. Amir had posted a lengthy video and claimed that he was mentally tortured by Pakistan's team management which prompted the decision despite him wanting to play for Pakistan in international cricket. Amir had already retired from Tests to focus on white-ball cricket.
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar stated that he was also treated similarly in the 2011 World Cup by Pakistan's team management. He also added that Amir should have improved his displays and confronted his fears.
"I openly say that I was not treated well during the 2011 World Cup, not by Afridi but by the rest of the management. I am saying it openly. I was harassed but I didn't care as I had already announced my retirement," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel, reported TOI.
"Amir should have bowled well and improved his performance so that no one could remove him from the team. You have to face your fears and you must confront management but by performing," he added.
Akhtar also claimed that he would personally train Amir so that he reaches his zenith again and can even help him bowl in higher 150s like he had done before to make a comeback.
"If you hand Amir to me for two months, everyone will see him bowling over 150km/h. I can teach him that I taught him three years ago. He can make a comeback," said Akhtar.
Right now, Pakistan are in New Zealand to take them on in a three-match T20I and two-match Test series respectively. In fact, Pakistan lost the first T20I today in Auckland as the hosts won the game by five wickets.