Legends, Kohli in awe of super Amir

Pakistan quick Mohammad Amir has received high praise for his stunning performance in his side's five-wicket loss to India in Bangladesh on Saturday.

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Amir, who made his return to cricket earlier this year after serving a lengthy ban for spot-fixing, produced a superb opening spell of 3-18 from four overs in the Asia Cup clash in Mirpur.

After Pakistan were bowled out for just 83, Amir gave his side hope of an upset win over their fierce rivals with a furious initial burst that left India reeling at 3-8.

The 23-year-old's performance wasn't enough for Pakistan to avoid defeat, with Indian star Virat Kohli excelling with a match-winning 49, but it was Amir who was the toast of the cricket world after the match.

"I actually congratulated him while he was bowling," Kohli said.

"I was so happy to play such an amazing spell. He is a world class bowler."

Legendary Pakistan left-armer Wasim Akram was in awe of his contemporary, while Indian batting great VVS Laxman also tweeted his praise of Amir.

On a green surface at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Amir pushed the speed gun as high as 150km/h and had the ball hooping from the very first delivery, with a close lbw shout against Rohit Sharma turned down by umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge. 

But umpire Palliyaguruge raised his finger the very next ball when Amir produced another brilliant inswinger to trap Rohit dead in front of the stumps. 

Kohli then got a streaky single away to third man before Amir - having bowled a wide with his fourth ball - trapped Ajinkya Rahane in front in almost identical fashion to make the score 2-2. 

He then beat the bat of left-handed Suresh Raina next delivery, with wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed taking the ball above his head, before Raina managed to get bat on ball to finish the over. 

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The carnage continued in Amir's second over; Kohli survived another tight lbw decision before Raina chipped the next ball straight to Wahab Riaz at long-on to make it 3-8. 

Yuvraj Singh then somehow survived his first delivery, shouldering arms to a ball that didn't swing away as expected and held its line, narrowly missing the top of off-stump. 

He then got one to bounce off a length in his third over, finding the splice of Kohli's bat on the way through a vacant third slip region. 

The Indian ultimately got on top of Amir later in his spell, striking two magnificent boundaries in the quick's fourth over, as he produced a brilliant rear-guard innings that won the match for his side.