Mohammad Amir Warns Abhishek Sharma Amid Poor T20 World Cup Form

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has issued a strong warning to India opener Abhishek Sharma following his poor run of form in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The remarks come after Amir previously described the left-handed batter as a “slogger,” questioning his defensive technique and shot selection at the international level.

Abhishek has struggled significantly in the ongoing tournament, failing to score in multiple innings. The Indian opener has registered three consecutive ducks in the competition and has accumulated five ducks in seven innings during the tournament cycle. Despite these setbacks, he has scored 182 runs in eight matches this year, maintaining a high strike rate of 224.69 but averaging 26.

Speaking in a television interview, Amir compared Abhishek’s situation to that of Pakistan batter Saim Ayub during the early phase of his career. He explained that Ayub initially thrived with aggressive stroke play but was later exposed when bowlers targeted his weaknesses outside the leg-side hitting zone.

Amir suggested that Abhishek faces a similar challenge. According to the former pacer, the Indian batter appears eager to attack every delivery and prefers balls in his hitting arc. He warned that at the international level, bowlers will exploit technical gaps, particularly on the off-side, to restrict scoring opportunities.

He pointed out that dismissals against bowlers such as Salman Agha and Aryan Dutt showed patterns that opponents may continue to exploit. Amir emphasised that players must adapt and develop all-round batting skills to succeed in high-pressure international cricket.

Struggles and unwanted records

Abhishek’s dismissal against the Netherlands added to his struggles, placing him among the Indian batters with the most ducks in T20 World Cup history. He is also joint-second for the most ducks recorded in the 2026 tournament so far.

Despite the setbacks, team management is expected to back the young opener, recognising his aggressive style as a key component of India’s powerplay strategy. His ability to score quickly remains valuable, but consistency and shot selection will be crucial moving forward.

Focus shifts to Super 8 stage

India is set to face South Africa in their first Super 8 match on February 22, where Abhishek will be under pressure to deliver a strong performance. The upcoming fixtures present an opportunity for the opener to silence critics and regain confidence.

Cricket analysts note that young batters often face early challenges as opponents study their techniques. Adaptability and technical refinement are considered essential for long-term success in international cricket.

As the tournament progresses, Abhishek’s response to criticism and his ability to adjust his game will be closely watched. With India entering a decisive phase of the competition, his form could play a key role in the team’s campaign.