Mohammad Aamer: 1st Thoughts?

[kaysee]

What are your 1st impressions of this upcomer?

* Despite the debate of his actual age (if really is as young as 17).

* Watched him bowl in the 1st innings and I was impressed with how he immediately hit the mark at pace... around 145kph with his 1st balls.

* Bowled a few 150kph balls and will get even quicker IMO.

* Seems to have a good smooth action and good work rate.

However, he was unsuccesful in the 1st innings and I think he needs to work on his bowling 'plans' to work a batsman over.

Haven't seen this 2nd innings yet but has taken a FiveFa so seems to be looking the goods.

 

[HBF]

Have I missed something about his age?
If he is 17 though, what a talent! Someone of his age who has bowled as well to the Australian batsmen in this innings has to have some serious talent.

Really amazing to think how many of these young cricketers Pakistan can produce.

 

[Xtreme]

Gun player, will torment opposing sides for years to come

** Barring injury of course

 

[Spikey]

Well the Pakistanis do have a bit of a history of saying players are younger than they really are. So there's probably some doubt over his age in some circles.

 

[Cooldude]

1. He is definitely not 17, my bet is 22

2. He was very unlucky 1st innings and deserved far more than his figures suggested

3. His action is nigh on perfect, gonna be the next great Pakistan quick barring injuries

 

[frankrizzo]

No way he is 17 but however old he is he's already fairly advanced for such a newcomer to tests.

 

[TheTrav]

Have I missed something about his age?
If he is 17 though, what a talent! Someone of his age who has bowled as well to the Australian batsmen in this innings has to have some serious talent.

Really amazing to think how many of these young cricketers Pakistan can produce.

How have you missed he is "17" the commentary box drops it every 15 minutes

 

[HBF]

How have you missed he is "17" the commentary box drops it every 15 minutes

Nah. Just slow on the up-take.

 

[Paddy_Mac]

If he's 17, he's 17. It doesn't matter it's senior cricket.

 

[didak04]

Is there any basis at all for questioning his age?

This thread is the first time i've seen it come into question, he certainly looks young.

 

[The_Reaper]

Is there any basis at all for questioning his age?

This thread is the first time i've seen it come into question, he certainly looks young.

In general Pakistan do have some very dodgy ages for players.
I think they once had a '14' year old debutant

I'd say if Aamer is 17, he would be pretty close to his 18th

 

[damochandler]

quick and acurate. once he fixes up the no ball problem. like wasim had. he will get better and better. just stay awy from shoaib and asif outside of cricket

 

[bus24]

If he's not 17 - he's not much older. He looks extremely young.

My bet would be about 19.

 

[DaRick]

If he's not 17 - he's not much older. He looks extremely young.

My bet would be about 19.

Yes, I agree with this.

He looks like a very promising young bowler. He bowled some terrific stuff during this second innings and was briefly threatening during the first innings. He seems reasonably accurate, is a left-armer and uses reverse swing well. Pakistan may've happened upon another blitzing bowler, although it may take some time before he peaks.

Hopefully he doesn't injure himself or do idiotic things off-field.

 

[didak04]

In general Pakistan do have some very dodgy ages for players.
I think they once had a '14' year old debutant

I'd say if Aamer is 17, he would be pretty close to his 18th

The 14 year old debutant was Hasan Raza, it was later found that he was indeed older than reported when he made his debut.

Looking at Aamer he doesn't look much older than 17. I think it's safe to assume that as the years have gone by birth records in Pakistan would have become more reliable and accurate.

Aamer seems to have the world at his feet. Is quick, can swing the ball and it will be interesting to see how his career progresses in upcoming years.

 

[The_Reaper]

The 14 year old debutant was Hasan Raza, it was later found that he was indeed older than reported when he made his debut.

Looking at Aamer he doesn't look much older than 17. I think it's safe to assume that as the years have gone by birth records in Pakistan would have become more reliable and accurate.

Aamer seems to have the world at his feet. Is quick, can swing the ball and it will be interesting to see how his career progresses in upcoming years.

Yeah he looks like a gun player.
He may very well be 17, though I'd imagine he would be approaching his 18th birthday.

People from the subcontinent do physically mature faster than westerners.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

17 years 260 days according to cricinfo.

 

[CAS79]

. I think it's safe to assume that as the years have gone by birth records in Pakistan would have become more reliable and accurate.

In the cities I would agree, in the villages of the north where he is from things have perhaps more regressed than progressed with the religious teachers controlling villages despite most people just trying to get on with life.

Regardless he still looks young and but he looks good. Certainly sparked some life into the Pakistan team.

He is raw and needs to ensure he is mentored and continues to be well coached, I like the earlier comment about plans but from time to time when you have someone like that you blow the plans and let them off the leash.

 

[damochandler]

lawson must have been talking about akmal. when he saying that he had been in under 19's team for 4 years.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Blowing kisses every time he takes a wicket looks really stupid (cue people saying but Brett Lee's chainsaw is worse!), it's still a really gay celebration.

Other than that he seems like a find, but it's early days.

 

[damochandler]

Blowing kisses every time he takes a wicket looks really stupid (cue people saying but Brett Lee's chainsaw is worse!), it's still a really gay celebration.

Other than that he seems like a find, but it's early days.

all you have to do is shrug the shoulders and don't give a shit

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I'm not talking about how it affects the batsman (probably very little), it just looks stupid and pretentious.

 

[damochandler]

I'm not talking about how it affects the batsman (probably very little), it just looks stupid and pretentious.

to be honest don't care about players celebrations after a wicket. unless it is directed at the batsman. i.e sending the batsman off

 

[The Passenger]

he's an awesome talent all right.

i reckon he's a bit older than 17. pakistan do have a bit of history fudging peoples ages (shahid afridi too definately i reckon). i don't know why they'd bother?? once it's senior cricket no one gives a shit. in reality age records are basically the most pointless things going around.

 

[Rocco Jones]

to be honest don't care about players celebrations after a wicket. unless it is directed at the batsman. i.e sending the batsman off

I'm with this guy. Celebrate your own success, not your opponent's failure.