Quetta Gladiators’ pacer Mohammad Amir has made it clear that when he’s on the field, there is no room for friendship or senior-junior dynamics. Speaking during Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, Amir emphasized the importance of aggression and focus in modern cricket.
He said, “If someone hits me for a shot on the first ball, I can’t go and hug them. Of course, I’ll say something to disturb their focus — it’s part of the game.” Amir compared the current style to the “fierce cricket” of the past, referring to legends like Sir Vivian Richards, who also believed in mentally challenging the opposition as a legitimate strategy.
“Being aggressive in a controlled way is part of cricket’s beauty. Trying to break a batter’s concentration doesn’t mean you’re being disrespectful. Off the field, we’re all friends, but on the pitch, it’s business,” he added. Amir also noted that if a player crosses the line, umpires and match referees are there to penalize them, but his approach has always been within bounds.
“I Wasn’t in Their” Plans”—Amir Reflects on National Team Exit
Amir also opened up about his international career and decision to retire, revealing that after the T20 World Cup, no one from the Pakistan Cricket Board approached him or shared future plans.
“I left a county contract to play the World Cup. I covered all my own expenses, including my trainer’s. But after the tournament, there was silence. That was a clear signal to me. If I’m not in the plans, I have to think about myself. So I’ve decided — thank you very much to international cricket.”
Addressing the perception that he sees Babar Azam as a rival, Amir clarified, “Babar is Pakistan’s best batter, no doubt. He’s just going through a rough patch, and unfortunately, it’s been a long one.”
He explained that Babar seems to be arriving late on the ball, which is affecting his shot selection. However, he expressed confidence that once Babar regains form, he will score heavily again.
Amir offered perspective on the unpredictability of T20 cricket, saying, “You can’t judge a player or team from two or three games. In a 10-match league, only three or four games go really well, a few are average, and a couple will be bad — that’s just the nature of T20s.”
Amir praised Quetta Gladiators’ balanced team, stating that Mark Chapman’s addition will strengthen the middle order. He noted that the team has struggled a bit during the powerplay overs, losing wickets early, but the bowling unit has performed exceptionally well and will continue to improve.
