Amir clarifies ‘tailender’ comment about Babar Azam

Former Pakistan pacer, Mohammad Amir, has clarified his previous statement regarding Babar Azam, saying that he never called the Pakistan captain an average player or a tailender. 

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Amir praised Babar's technique and had called him the best batter in Pakistan. 

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"First, I would like to ask those who have misrepresented this matter. Show me one interview in which I said that Babar is an average player or a tailender. In all my interviews, I have called him the best batsman of Pakistan, which I am saying with my own mouth, and have said in many places, that it is difficult to bowl against him in ODI and Test matches due to his technique. So, would I call him a tailender? First, let me make it clear to these people," he said.

The 31-year-old said that his point was that as a bowler, his job is to take wickets regardless of who the batsman is. He added that whether it's Babar or a tailender playing, every wicket is important for him as it benefits the team. 

"My point was that whether it's Babar Azam or a number 11 playing, taking wickets is important for me because it benefits the team. For example, if 12 runs are needed in the last 2 overs and 8 wickets are down, then tailenders are the ones playing, right? So they are also equally important to dismiss. That was my point. For me, every wicket is important whether it is Babar's or a tailender's," he concluded.

Previously, during the eighth edition of HBL PSL, the left-arm pacer stated that bowling to Babar or a tailender was the same for him.

While speaking to a local channel, Amir said that his job is to pick wickets, regardless of who the batsman is at the crease.

"These kinds of matchups and player rivalries, keep players on their toes. I personally like these sorts of challenges because it keeps me focused,” said Amir.

"My job is to take wickets and win matches for my team, so for me, facing Babar or a tailender batting at number 10 will be the same," he added.