'We've overrated our players, they lack skills' - Mohammad Amir exposes Team Pakistan

Mohammad Amir has lashed out at Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan for his major tactical blunder in the batting order that cost the Men in Green dearly in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Former Pakistan pacer feels Mohammad Rizwan failed to make the right decision under pressure, which left the defending champions struggling and eventually facing the humiliating defeat of 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against the Black Caps in Karachi.

Mohammad Rizwan made a huge blunder by sending Fakhar Zaman at No. 4: Mohammad Amir

Amir has pointed out that Rizwan and Pakistan think tank’s decision to send injured Fakhar Zaman at No. 4 when quick singles and partnerships were needed proved a disastrous move. With the match slipping away, Amir feels the hosts should have come up with better decision-making, as it could have turned the match in Pakistan’s favor against the Kiwis.

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Notably, Fakhar Zaman was injured in the first over of New Zealand’s innings and left the field for assessment. However, Zaman could not open the innings due to the ICC rules, and the hosts decided to send the left-handed batter at the very important No. 4 despite him being unfit. However, Fakhar tried his best and made valuable 24 runs off 41 balls, but he was seen struggling throughout his stay.

Mohammad Amir said on the ‘Haarna Mana Hai’ show: “The role of captain is very important. It was a huge blunder to send Fakhar Zaman at No. 4 when strike rotation was needed. We were way behind in the match, and our strategy was very weak.”

Mohammad Amir slams Pakistan’s top order for lack of intent against New Zealand

Meanwhile, Amir has slammed Pakistan’s top order, questioning their mindset and approach during the stiff chase of 321 runs to win the first match of the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi. Saud Shakeel was dismissed for just 6 runs and Rizwan came in to bat at No.3.

And then Babar Azam played one of the slowest innings in ODI cricket, scoring 64 runs off 90 balls, and it put pressure on the upcoming batters. However, Salman Ali Agha (42 runs off 28 balls) and Khushdil Shah (69 runs off 49 balls) played cracking knocks, but the game had already slipped away from Pakistan’s hands.

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Overrated and lacking skill: Mohammad Amir's brutal take on Pakistan’s batting collapse

Even with the ball, Shaheen Afridi failed to take a single wicket in Karachi. Reacting to the Men in Green’s poor show, Mohammad Amir believes that the team has been overrated, but they don’t have the real skill when it matters the most. But the most frustrating thing for Amir was the absence of intent from the batters while chasing the big target in Karachi.

Amir said on the same show, “We have overrated our players; our players lack skill. I couldn't understand the intent of our players. Performance is another thing, but our top order didn't even show intent to chase 320 runs.”

Notably, Pakistan will next face India in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, February 23, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai before taking on Bangladesh on February 27 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.