Pakistan fast bowling great Wasim Akram believes new pace sensation Mohammad Aamer is "much cleverer than I was at 18" after watching the teenage quick's latest impressive Test display. Aamer, like Wasim a left-arm seamer, took four wickets for 72 runs as he led Pakistan's attack in the ongoing first Test against Australia here at Lord's in his first Test at the 'home of cricket'.
After seeing Aamer wrap up Australia's first innings on Wednesday by bowling tailender Doug Bollinger with an inswinging yorker, an admiring Wasim told AFP: "It was exciting to watch Aamer bowl so well at Lord's. "He is a special talent and has pace, nip and can swing the ball both ways which is ideal for a paceman, and augurs well for his future,.
Aamer has risen by leaps and bounds to become Pakistan's spearhead since making his debut last year and served further notice of his enormous potential with another impressive display at Lord's. His efforts, ably supported by pace partner Mohammad Asif (three for 63), helped a new-look Pakistan team dismiss Australia for 253 on the second day of the first of two Tests that have both been moved to England because of security fears in Pakistan.
The 18-year-old Aamer's pace, swing and exuberance have already led experts to compare Aamer with Wasim, widely regarded as the best left-arm fast bowler ever to have played international cricket. But Wasim said Aamer was already ahead of him in one respect.
"He is much cleverer than when I was 18," said Wasim who took ten wickets in his only second Test, against New Zealand at Dunedin in 1984. "Aamer has got a head start and is a quick learner, so I see no reason why he can't go on to become a leading fast bowler. "He is already spearheading the Pakistan pace attack and watching him bowl (on Tuesday), everything pitched up, banging in every delivery and testing the best batsmen in the world excited me no end." Wasim though advised Aamer to bowl closer to the stumps.