It's a compliment to be compared with Mohammad Amir: Andy Roberts

Pakistan is in England to play a 4-Test series against the hosts starting July 14. As the series opener at Lord’s approaches, the excitement is building up among not only the supporters of the two teams but also fans around the cricketing universe are eager to watch how the Pakistan bowlers fare up in English conditions. There is one player who is at the center of most discussions these days and that is Mohammad Amir.

The young fast bowler is all set to make his Test comeback after six years in England. He would want to forget the incidents that happened the last time he played at the Lord’s and just focus on the current day scenario.

Today if the Pakistan team has to dominate the Birts at home they need Amir to get them the wickets. He has been in scintillating form since his return to international cricket soon after he completed the ban term. It took the Pakistani cricketers some time as well to accept him back in the fold but now most of them are comfortable with him in the dressing room.

Same, though, cannot be said about the opponents. Not just the England team but the crowd is also expected to try their best to get under the skin of the left-arm pacer who would be under immense pressure.

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After English skipper, Alastair Cook said that in his personal opinion those banned should not be allowed to play again Somerset coach Matthew Maynard has come out and praised Amir. He played against Somerset and impressed most with his swing bowling and helped Pakistan push the home team on the backfoot. Maynard said that Mohammad Amir reminds him of West Indies great Andy Roberts.

The former England batsman, told reporters in Taunton: “He (Amir) was swinging it massive in the first innings, proper late big swing. He’s a threat, he always has been, hasn’t he? He’s got that pace, he’s wiry, he’s got a change-up, you don’t see that too often these days.”

“He’s someone who almost bowls at 90 per cent, 95 per cent of his capabilities and then he throws that 100 percenter in, that change of pace up, like the old great Andy Roberts.”

The West Indian legend was told about this and in his response, he said. “It’s a compliment because somebody remembers me,” said Roberts from Trinidad.

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“When I saw Amir for the first time he appeared something special. Then, he got banned (for spot fixing) and is back now. He hasn’t played a lot. Whether he has regained his craftiness is to be seen, but doing well in the lead-up to the Test series is good news for Pakistan. At least this will ensure England don’t prepare tracks which will suit their bowlers.”

Roberts is all for bowlers to not just bowl with pace but wants them to use their variations. “I don’t see that happening enough. It has become a power-based game and a lot of stuff is overdone. Bowlers need to vary their pace, but that does not mean they have got to bowl a lot of slower balls,” he said.