Amir needs to fix minor glitch to become best again: Mohammad Asif

34-year-old still believes left-armer is the best pacer in current Pakistan team

KARACHI: Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif backs Mohammad Amir to regain his bowling form of 2010 but says the young pacer needs to overcome just one flaw before he does that.

Asif, who along with Amir and former captain Salman Butt was banned from cricket following the infamous spot-fixing scandal, feels his former opening pace attack partner needs to fix a minor glitch.

“Amir is still the best pacer in the current bowling line-up in the national team but he is committing a small mistake,” said the fast bowler during a television show.

"Amir is bowling too wide from the stumps, whereas previously, he used to bowl close to the stumps. This minor thing changes the angle of the ball significantly.

“By overcoming that glitch, he can be useful as he was in the past.

“His current sytle is affecting his performance and I am sure this is the reason why he is missing the spark of his past exploits with the ball."

The 34-year-old also questioned the team management for not picking up Amir's flaw.

"It surprises me why the team management did not figure out this flaw yet," he said. "But I believe he can be as effective as he was."

Meanwhile, Asif, who has represented Pakistan in 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is, still rates himself as the best new-ball bowler in the country.

“I think I am still the best,” said Asif. "I am bowling lethal spells [in domestic] cricket but I know consistency is missing, which happens if you bowl in competitive cricket after a long time.

"I am doing all the hard work I can and I am confident I will get back to my former self soon."

The Sheikhupura-born pacer further added that he is eyeing a return to the national side in Pakistan’s tour to the West Indies next year.

“By then, I will complete a full domestic season and hopefully the selectors would be impressed with my performance.”