Amir terms Kohli ‘biggest challenge’ for bowlers

Pakistan speedster Mohammad Amir has said Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli is the ‘biggest challenge’ for bowlers around the world.

The mutual respect between the two was evident during the Asia Cup 2016 when the Pakistan pacer had just returned from a five-year spot-fixing ban. Chasing a modest 84, India were jolted by Mohammad Amir, who dismissed Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina in quick succession.

Virat Kohli survived some scary moments to guide India to win with a stupendous 49. Kohli even presented Amir with his bat in a practice session in Kolkata during the 2016 ICC World T20.

Mohammad Amir, who is currently out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to a shin injury, said the Indian captain takes away the game if given a chance.

“The world knows Kohli is the best. You have to give your best against him. If you give him a chance he takes away the game, like he did in the Dhaka Asia Cup game,” Amir told Wisden India.

“So I have to focus and do my best to target him. He has the best strike rate and average while chasing so he is also the biggest challenge for bowlers around the world.

“You become a better bowler when you bowl well against a batsman like Kohli.

“It is a great gesture on his part to praise someone and I am floored at his praise of my bowling. The way he presented me with the bat in Kolkata is an evergreen memory for me.”

‘Amir very good bowler’

Earlier, Virat Kohli had lavished praise on Mohammad Amir, calling him an ‘outstanding bowler’ during a chat with Bollywood star Aamir Khan.

“Keeping in mind the recent bowlers I have gone up against, it has to Mohammad Amir of Pakistan. He is in the top two or three bowlers in the world and the toughest bowlers I have played in my career. He is one of those bowlers who demands that you bring your ‘A’ Game while facing him. Or he will strike. Outstanding! Very good bowler!”

“I would like to compliment Mohammad Amir for the way he bowled. I actually congratulated him while he was bowling. I was so happy to play such an amazing spell. He is a world class bowler,” Kohli had said.