NEWS
Follow UsGoing into the T20 World Cup 2024, there have been a few questions asked about the form of Shadab Khan and Azam Khan. In T20is since 2023, Shadab has picked up just nine wickets at 42.11 in 16 matches to go with an economy rate of 8.42, which is not something Pakistan would expect from their primary spinner. Azam Khan, on the other hand, has an average of under 10 in his 13 T20 Internationals (T20I) so far.
Safe to say, Pakistan need these two to fire in the World Cup, for the 2022 finalists to have a chance of clinching their second T20 World Cup title. However, fast bowler Mohammad Amir has backed them to come good.
"I always say that the player who has performed and proved himself, never doubts his ability. Yes, there is a bad patch in cricket. And this happens with every cricketer. All the legends also if you see in the past, sometimes even they can't perform well," Amir said ahead of Pakistan's game against United States of America (USA).
"And no on doubts on the ability and quality of Shadab and Azam. They play and perform all over the world. They are one game away – the kind of players that they are, they can single-handedly win the match for you."
Amir, who returned to the Pakistan side after retiring four years ago, says as a senior bowler he is willing ot take up any role. While he often opened the bowling for Pakistan, he could now bowl first or even second change depending on the conditions and the thought process of the skipper Babar Azam. Amir is not too worried about that.
"I am looking forward to playing here and perform well as a cricketer, whether it’s league cricket or international cricket, at the end of the day you have to perform. As a senior bowler, I will always try to lead from the front," Amir said.
"But if you look at Naseem, Haris, or Shaheen, they are performing well for the last four years. So, I have an extra responsibility to perform well for them and for the team."
Despite two of the four matches against England prior to the T20 World Cup washed out Amir still believes Pakistan have had enough match practice in the lead-up to the marquee event.
"First of all, the weather is not in our control. But yes, as I said, we are professionals and we have to deal with every situation. And we are playing honest, consistent cricket. We have played in New Zealand, Ireland, and England. We have been practicing well. We have been practicing well here as well. Now it's all about mental game, and mentally we are ready. Hopefully we will perform well," Amir, who has 64 wickets in 58 T20Is, said.
Following their game against the US at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in New York on June 9 (Sunday).
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