I don’t have a magic wand: Mohammad Amir

Pakistan Mohammad Amir has justified his under-par performance saying that he has no magic wand to perform up to the expectations every time and it will take time for him to return to his best in the Test format. The 22-year-old returned to the Pakistan team on the tour to New Zealand early this year after completing a five-year ban for spot-fixing in September.

Later, he gave scintillating performances for Pakistan in the Asia Cup T20 making everyone feel that the old Amir was back to his best. The English conditions were meant to suit his bowling style and strong performances were expected. Unfortunately, Amir struggled and could give his best.

“Whenever I play, there are a lot of expectations. But the thing is I don’t have a magic wand. This is international cricket and you cannot deliver in a day,” Amir told ‘The News‘ newspaper in an interview in England.

“I have come back to this level of cricket after six years. I know I have to work hard. It will take time. Even when I first started playing international cricket it took me a year before everyone started noticing me,” he added.

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There were huge expectations from him and everyone thought that he would be Pakistan’s trump card in the Test and limited-over series. However, Amir had a very quiet time, finishing with 12 wickets in four Tests and just four in four ODIs, including 3-50 in Pakistan’s only win in the final ODI in Cardiff.

“During the tour, I have observed various things and I know that I need to change. I have to work hard on my fitness and form. Once your level is up then you can really start expressing yourself,” he said.