Ian Pont, a former English cricketer and a respected voice when it comes to the mechanics of fast bowling, has termed Mohammad Amir “one of the finest left arm prospects” as the left-arm pacer starts his long road to redemption after the 2010 spot-fixing ban.
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| “Clearly parallels will be drawn with Wasim Akram and the fact that Wasim will have mentored Amir at some point is inevitable.” — AFP |
“[Amir] has a strong, repeatable action that helps him be consistent in release of the ball. He is biomechanically efficient in other words, which is something that technical coaches purr over,” Pont wrote in his blog for pakpassion.net.
“We are all seeking bowlers who can achieve this as it means a lowering of potential injuries as well as an increase in accuracy and speed. Amir's pace (around 140 kph/87 mph) is plenty to cause problems and he could be even faster.”
Pont, who played mainly for Essex and was best known for his powerful throw, said Amir was lucky in having such a great wrist position while delivering the ball.
“Now, still just 23, he has his best years in front of him. But what makes him such a great bowler is the fact that he has a great strong wrist position - meaning he can shape and swing a cricket ball at pace,” he said.
“Clearly parallels will be drawn with Wasim Akram and the fact that Wasim will have mentored Amir at some point is inevitable,” Pont added.
Pont, who played a key role in an anti-corruption sting operation to catch match-fixers, believed young Amir, in future, could match the genius of legendary Wasim Akram.
“Amir has the potential to be just every bit as good as Wasim. And that's because he has a far better action than Wasim had. His technique as a fast swing bowler is superior. The only thing it seems that can stop Amir is himself,” he said.
Amir was eligible to return to international cricket on September 2 after serving a five-year bans for bowling no-balls to order along with fellow pacer Mohammad Asif during a Test match in England in 2010.
But the Pakistan Cricket Board has ruled out ruled out an early return for the duo along with Salman Butt, the third player in convicted in the spot-fixing scandal.
Amir was cleared to play domestic matches in January this year after the International Cricket Council amended its code of conduct which allowed banned players to feature in home matches six months prior to end of their punishment.
