Karachi Kings pacer Mohammad Amir grabbed the headlines in the PSL 2023 season with his comments on Pakistan and Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam.

Amir started it by comparing bowling to Babar with doing the same to tailenders. Subsequently, he faced severe backlash from the fans and former cricketers alike.

Furthermore, Amir threw the ball in frustration after being hit for a boundary by Babar in the second PSL 2023 match between Karachi and Peshawar.

The incident sparked outrage on social media and Amir was also slammed by former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi.

“Whenever a player doesn't perform, or even if he does, I drop him a message or call him. Likewise, I messaged Amir. I talked to him respectfully, but I also scolded him. I told Amir, ‘what do you want?’ You have gained so much respect, you faced a blot on your reputation and from there, you made a return. You got a new life, in a way. What are you even trying to do?” Afridi had said while speaking on Samaa TV.

“If you want to play for Pakistan, you have to play alongside Babar only. Will you be able to look at him in the eye? Can you play under his captaincy? Focus on your performance, control your aggression, and go back home peacefully,” he added.

Nearly five months later, Amir reacted to the incident and also opened up on Afridi's remark, claiming that he hadn't received any such text from the former Pakistan all-rounder.

“I received his message but this wasn't it. He only praised my bowling and enquired about my injury. But the things like 'how will you face Babar'... this wasn't in his texts at all. What harm have I caused Babar? or vice-versa? I found it very weird. I don't know what he was thinking when he said that. I guess he speaks a little quickly so he might have mistakenly said that,” Amir told ARY News in an interview.

“Babar and I have a mutual understanding and respect. He never bad-mouthed me and same from my side as well. But public thinks we are enemies. It was never like that,” he further stated.

Mohammad Amir retired from international cricket in 2020 at the age of 28, citing that he was “being mentally tortured” by the team management. Since then, the left-arm quick is playing T20 leagues around the world.