Mohammad Amir Calls Virat Kohli Best Batsman Of This Era
Published - 26 Nov 2021, 06:07 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:01 AM
Former Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Amir called Indian Test and ODI skipper Virat Kohli as the best batsman of the current era.
Amir used to be one of the lethal bowlers from Pakistan, where batsman would have a tough time dealing with him on the pitch.
One of his best spells was in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, where rattled India’s top-order and got the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan. Pakistan won that game by 180 runs to clinch the title.
Don’t find it tough bowling against Virat Kohli
However, while terming Kohli as the best batsman of this era, Amir said that he didn’t have many issues bowling against him. But Amir felt challenged when it came to bowling against Australian batter Steven Smith.
“I feel, in my opinion, that Virat Kohli is the best batsman of this era, although I don’t find it tough bowling against him I feel he’s the best batsman of this era. Steven Smith is the player I feel is a difficult batsman to bowl to personally for me,” Amir told Zee News.
“When I played in 2009 Shane Watson was a very difficult batsman to bowl to in white-ball cricket, but now I feel Steven Smith because I don’t understand how Steve Smith bats, I bowl him outside off he’ll flick it to the leg-side, if I bowl him on the legs, he’ll make room and drive that bowl to covers. I struggle understanding how Smith bats, really,” he added.
Mohammad Amir retired from international cricket in 2020
Amir retired from international cricket in December 2020 after having a rift with then Pakistan team management consisting of head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis.
Kohli gave up India’s T20I captaincy after the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 but said he will continue to lead the team in Test and ODIs. Kohli is currently resting for India’s first Test against New Zealanf but is expected to show up in the second match.
