By Zainab Shafiq 
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, often linked with reports of friction with Babar Azam, has poured cold water on any talk of animosity, offering glowing praise for the national team’s star batter. Speaking exclusively to Geo News, Amir made it clear that despite past perceptions, he holds Babar in high regard.
“Babar Azam is Pakistan’s best cricketer, there’s no question about it,” Amir said. “Right now, he’s going through a tough patch, and yes, it’s been a bit too long. But every player faces such phases. Once he gets back into rhythm, he’ll be scoring big runs again.”
The left-arm fast bowler, however, pointed out a technical area where Babar needs improvement. “I’ve noticed Babar is arriving slightly late to the ball, and that’s why he’s struggling with shot selection. He needs to tighten his footwork,” Amir added.
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Addressing the broader nature of competition in cricket, Amir insisted that fierce rivalry on the field should not be confused with personal hostility. “On the field, there are no friendships or seniority — just pure competition. Disturbing a batter’s focus is part of the game, not disrespect. Off the field, we sit, chat, and joke like friends,” he said.
Reflecting on cricket’s earlier eras, Amir said the sport used to be even more intense. “Ask Sir Vivian Richards — it felt like someone might hit you with the bat. That kind of aggression was part of the beauty of cricket,” he remarked. “If someone hits a shot off my first ball, I’m not going to hug him — I’ll try to throw him off focus.”
Amir also revealed the sacrifices he made leading into the T20 World Cup, having left a County contract and personally funded his trainer, travel, and accommodation. “After the World Cup ended, no one from the PCB even spoke to me. A wise man doesn’t need an explanation — I understood I wasn’t in their plans. So I decided to move on.”
On the domestic front, Amir praised the Quetta Gladiators squad, calling it “well-balanced across all departments.” He highlighted Mark Chapman’s addition as a boost to the middle order, though he acknowledged the team needs to fix early batting collapses.
Now based in Lahore for the remainder of the PSL, Amir applauded the Lahore crowd for creating a “special atmosphere” and expressed confidence that batting-friendly pitches would suit the Gladiators’ aggressive style.
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