‘Abhishek Sharma is just a slogger’, says Mohammad Amir’:Pakistani pacer claims number 1 ranked ICC batter is not ‘technically sound’

Ahead of the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday, former Pakistan pacer Mohammed Amir openly criticised India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma, questioning his technique and batting approach. He said, ‘He is just a slogger, technically not sound’. The much-awaited contest was already in the spotlight due to recent tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Now, Amir’s remarks have added more fire drama to the build-up of the high–profile clash. Abhishek, who played India’s opening match against the USA and was dismissed for a first-ball duck, missed the Namibia game due to illness. With the team now travelling to Sri Lanka, his participation in Sunday’s match remains uncertain. However, Varun Chakravarthy believes that he is looking good and available to feature in the game against Pakistan. ‘He is just a slogger’ – Mohammed Amir on Abhishek Sharma Speaking on the show ‘Haarna Mana Hai’, Amir did not hold back while sharing his opinion about the Indian opener. He said, “By whatever little I have seen, if you ask me honestly, I feel he is just a slogger. He has to go hard at every ball. The day he gets going, it’s fine; otherwise, uske failure ke chances zyaada hain (The chances of his failure are high). He scores once in 8 innings. Otherwise, his scores are 10, 15, 0 and 20. I don’t think he is technically sound.” “He just stands there and wants all balls to be bowled in a particular area. This is my honest opinion. I am also saying the day he gets going, he will score big. He can hurt the other team. But he has a high-risk game. I will consider him a proper batter only when I see that the ball is swinging even slightly and he tackles it well and smashes with the same velocity,” Amir concluded. Rashid Latif shares a balanced view on Abhishek’s batting style Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif agreed with some of Amir’s observations but also appreciated Abhishek’s strengths. He said, “We haven’t seen him play much First-Class cricket, nor in ODIs. Mostly it’s T20Is. His upper portion doesn’t come in front. All he does is give himself room. He’s calling him a slogger because he is ready for every ball to swing. “If he tries to defend, that’s where he will find the problem. He is successful because that’s all he has worked in,” said Latif on the same show. Abhishek’s fitness update ahead of IND-PAK clash After the India-Namibia match, India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy provided a positive update on star opener Abhishek Sharma. He confirmed that Abhishek is fit and available for selection in the upcoming match against Pakistan, which comes as a big boost for the Indian side. He says, “I think he will play the next match,” Varun said after India beat Namibia to make it 10 wins on the trot in T20 World Cups. “I don’t know. As far as I have spoken to him, he looks good. He did some practice today. He said he is on the way.”