Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has stirred debate ahead of the high-voltage India vs Pakistan encounter at the T20 World Cup, questioning the batting credentials of India opener Abhishek Sharma.
With just days to go before the marquee fixture, Amir described Abhishek as “just a slogger,” suggesting that the left-hander’s aggressive approach makes him vulnerable to failure.
Amir Questions Abhishek’s Technique
Speaking on a television show, Amir offered a blunt assessment of Abhishek’s method.
“From whatever little I have seen, I feel he is just a slogger. He goes hard at every ball. The day he gets going, it’s fine; otherwise, his chances of failure are high. He scores once in eight innings. I don’t think he is technically sound,” Amir said.
The former fast bowler added that while Abhishek can be destructive on his day, his high-risk strategy could expose technical gaps, especially if the ball swings or conditions become challenging.
The remarks come at a time when tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council have already added intrigue to the tournament.
Rashid Latif Partly Agrees, Acknowledges Impact
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif echoed parts of Amir’s analysis but also acknowledged Abhishek’s effectiveness in T20 cricket.
Latif pointed out that Abhishek’s exposure has largely been in T20 Internationals rather than First-Class or ODI formats. He noted that while the opener relies heavily on creating room and attacking deliveries, the strategy has worked so far in the shortest format.
Abhishek Sharma’s Record Against Pakistan
Despite the criticism, Abhishek has delivered notable performances against Pakistan in the past. During last year’s Asia Cup, he scored 31 in the league stage and an impressive 74 in the Super Fours as India secured convincing wins. Though he managed just five runs in the final, the result did not impact India’s title run.
Overall, Abhishek has quickly established themself as one of India’s emerging T20I stars. In 39 matches, the opener has scored 1,297 runs, including two centuries and eight half-centuries. A standout performance includes a career-best 135 against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium last year.
Fitness Concerns Before Sunday
Abhishek registered a first-ball duck in India’s tournament opener against the USA and subsequently missed the Namibia fixture due to illness. The opener has reportedly lost a few kilograms but is recovering and travelling with the squad.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav has indicated that a final call on Abhishek’s availability will be made closer to match day. However, visuals shared by teammates suggest the batter is regaining fitness ahead of the much-anticipated showdown.
As anticipation builds, Amir’s comments have added extra spice to an already intense rivalry, ensuring that all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma if he takes the field on Sunday.
