How successful has Amir been when compared to his hype many years ago? Hype based on one sole season in England? Amir had one amazing season no doubt, but he is not the first one to do great on swinging English pitches, players like RP Singh did the same
Amir was always treated as a special, special talent and he did show great glimpses of it. Even in the T20 Asia cup, we saw what he could do on swinging pitches. PCB went out of the way to help him after the spot fixing scandal, tried to rehabilitate him, brought him back immediately to the national team. He always gets the new ball and is the leader of Pak pace attack
Do the numbers match up to the hype? Lets take a look
Amir's average currently stands at 32.49. Since his comeback, he has been averaging 38.26
Country played against, Amir averages over 35 against every single country except England (27.67) and Australia (32.3) The Australia average includes 2 matches played in the same English conditions where he averaged 22.2. In Australia he averages over 40
Grouping
|
Span | Mat | Runs | HS | Bat Av | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Av | 5 | Ct | St | Ave Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| v Australia | 2009-2016 | 6 | 171 | 48 | 19.00 | 0 | 24 | 5/79 | 32.33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -13.33 |
|
| v England | 2010-2016 | 8 | 174 | 39* | 14.50 | 0 | 31 | 6/84 | 27.67 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -13.17 |
|
| v New Zealand | 2009-2016 | 5 | 115 | 26 | 11.50 | 0 | 14 | 3/43 | 36.14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -24.64 |
|
| v Sri Lanka | 2009-2009 | 3 | 37 | 22* | 12.33 | 0 | 6 | 3/38 | 43.50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -31.16 |
|
| v West Indies | 2016-2016 | 2 | 29 | 20 | 9.66 | 0 | 6 | 3/63 | 38.50 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -28.83 |
|
Amir has played in Australia, New Zealand, England, UAE and Sri Lanka. He averages over 35 in each of those countries except England and averages over 40 in both Australia and Sri Lanka while averaging over 38 in UAE
| in Australia | 2009-2016 | 4 | 147 | 48 | 24.50 | 0 | 13 | 5/79 | 40.84 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -16.34 |
|
| in England | 2010-2016 | 10 | 198 | 39* | 13.20 | 0 | 42 | 6/84 | 26.26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -13.06 |
|
| in New Zealand | 2009-2016 | 5 | 115 | 26 | 11.50 | 0 | 14 | 3/43 | 36.14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -24.64 |
|
| in Sri Lanka | 2009-2009 | 3 | 37 | 22* | 12.33 | 0 | 6 | 3/38 | 43.50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -31.16 |
|
| in U.A.E. | 2016-2016 | 2 | 29 | 20 | 9.66 | 0 | 6 | 3/63 | 38.50 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -28.83 |
|
Year wise, even before his ban, Amir averaged 41 in 7 matches in 2009. 2010 is the only year he excelled because of one English season in amazing swinging conditions. Here is the season wise average breakup
2009 season - average 43.5
2009/10 season - average 41.9
2010 season - average 19.8
2016 season - average 42.4
2016/17 season - average 35.5
The 2010 season average seems more and more like an anomaly as time goes by. I think he still looks impressive and beats the bat. But most of his effectiveness comes from the new ball swing. His yorker and short ball seems non-existent and he has lost his in-dipper. He clocks some speed on the speed gun yet looks innocuous. Even the excuse of the 5 year delay doesn't seem to hold water considering his record before his ban outside of England. Do remember that in the period since his comeback he has played in some helpful pitches in England and New Zealand too.
How long will talent give him a free pass considering PCB fought tooth and nail to get him back in the team? Seeing Pakistan's seam bowling options I am sure Amir might still be best for the team. However, those who saw a promising fast bowler emerge and were following his progress with interest might be disappointed with his performance so far.
